Weather Forecast Integration with Homey: My Experience and Tips

General
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Hi everyone! :wave: I’ve been using Homey for about a month now, and it’s been a fantastic experience. I’ve managed to set up around 40 flows, automating everything from lights to alarms, and even adjusting settings when we’re watching a movie. It’s truly a remarkable product! :star2:

One area I’ve been particularly interested in is integrating weather forecasts into my smart home setup. I wanted to automate tasks like watering the garden or closing windows based on weather conditions. Initially, I found some discussions about using JSON files, but the process seemed quite cumbersome. :confused:

Then, I stumbled upon the Open Weather Map app in the Homey app store, and it turned out to be a game-changer! :earth_africa: Here’s how I set it up:

Apps You’ll Need:

  • Open Weather Map

Setup Steps:

  1. Get an API Key: Register on the Open Weather Map website to receive your free API key.
  2. Create a Virtual Sensor: In Homey, go to Devices and create a new virtual sensor. Choose the option for Actual Weather Forecast.
  3. Configure the Sensor: Name it something like “Actual Weather Forecast” and add your API key. Use your postcode and country code for the most accurate forecast. For example, mine is set to 7605EN,NL.
  4. Create Flows: I set up flows to notify me of weather changes, especially if I’m home or have guests. I also added a timeline to avoid notifications during late hours. :clock3:

Weather Card on TV

For visualizing the weather on my TV, I found Ventusky to be an excellent resource. It provides detailed weather maps with radar and wind data. I created a custom URL with my location settings and added it to a flow that triggers when nothing is playing on the TV. :tv:

Tips for Success:

  • Location Accuracy: Ensure your postcode and country code are accurate for the best forecast.
  • Customization: Experiment with the settings on Ventusky to adjust the zoom level and transparency of wind indicators.
  • Timing: Use timelines to control when weather notifications are sent to avoid disturbances.

I hope this helps someone looking to integrate weather forecasts into their smart home setup! :sun_behind_small_cloud: If you have any questions or tips, feel free to share them below. Happy automating! :bulb: