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Hong Kong Observatory vs Weather Underground API

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

APIHong Kong ObservatoryHEALTHY60Weather Underground APIREACHABLE100
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms1415104
P95 · ms36701117
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseHKO open data (see terms of use)Unverified
Free tierFree, no keyFree tier — API key may be required for production
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Hong Kong Observatory vs Weather Underground API: common questions

Which is more reliable, Hong Kong Observatory or Weather Underground API?

Both are neck-and-neck — Hong Kong Observatory and Weather Underground API each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.

Which is faster, Hong Kong Observatory or Weather Underground API?

Weather Underground API has the lower median latency in our checks — Hong Kong Observatory responds in 1415 ms versus Weather Underground API at 104 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.

Do Hong Kong Observatory and Weather Underground API need an API key?

Hong Kong Observatory needs no key, while Weather Underground API requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Hong Kong Observatory first.

Can I call Hong Kong Observatory and Weather Underground API from the browser?

Yes — both Hong Kong Observatory and Weather Underground API send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.

Are Hong Kong Observatory and Weather Underground API free for commercial use?

Hong Kong Observatory has unclear commercial terms, and Weather Underground API has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.