# ESWD Severe Weather Events Scraper (`scrapyspider/eswd-eu-scraper`) Actor
Scrapes severe weather event reports from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD). Filter by time range, event type (hail, wind, tornado, lightning, rain), and country. Returns structured JSON with coordinates, dates, and source attribution. No account required.
- **URL**: https://apify.com/scrapyspider/eswd-eu-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [ScrapySpider](https://apify.com/scrapyspider) (community)
- **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, Other
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet
## Pricing
Pay per usage
This Actor is paid per platform usage. The Actor is free to use, and you only pay for the Apify platform usage, which gets cheaper the higher subscription plan you have.
Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-usage
## What's an Apify Actor?
Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".
## How to integrate an Actor?
If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.
In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md):
```bash
npm install apify-client
```
In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md):
```bash
pip install apify-client
```
In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):
````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash
In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md).
If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).
For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.
For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).
# README
### ESWD Severe Weather Events Scraper
Extracts real-time severe weather event reports from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) — no account required — and returns structured JSON with event type, location, date, coordinates, and source attribution.
---
### Key Highlights
- **No account or cookies needed** — scrapes the public ESWD database directly via API
- **User-friendly filters** — select time range, event type (hail, wind, tornado, lightning, rain), and country
- **Precise location data** — latitude, longitude, accuracy radius, city, and country for every event
- **Structured output** — clean JSON with ISO dates, coordinate pairs, and source attribution
- **Supports all ESWD event types**: large hail, severe wind, damaging lightning, tornado, heavy rain
- **Advanced override** — supply a raw base64 payload for custom filter configurations
---
#### What data does it extract?
Each result contains:
**Event info:** `weather` (formatted label), `eventTypeRaw` (HAIL/WIND/LIGHTNING/TORNADO/PRECIP), `eventDate` (YYYY-MM-DD), `eventTime` (HH:MM UTC)
**Location:** `city`, `state`, `country`, `latitude`, `longitude`, `radius` (km accuracy), `location` (full readable string)
**Hail-specific:** `maxHailDiameter` (cm, HAIL events only)
**Source:** `source` (contact and reference attribution from ESWD)
**Raw:** `locationRaw` (HTML-formatted location block as shown on ESWD website)
Output is available as JSON, CSV, or Excel via Apify dataset export.
---
#### Use cases
- **Weather monitoring:** Track severe weather events across Europe in near real-time for alerts or dashboards
- **Insurance & risk:** Enrich property risk models with historical severe weather occurrence data by location
- **Research & journalism:** Download structured event records for meteorological analysis or news reporting
- **Emergency management:** Monitor event types and locations for operational awareness and response planning
- **Agriculture:** Identify hail and wind events near specific regions to assess crop damage risk
- **Academic:** Build datasets of European severe weather occurrences for climate research
---
#### How to use
1. Click **Try for free** above
2. In the **Input** tab, set your **Time Range Amount** and **Time Range Unit** (e.g., `2` and `Days` for the past 48 hours)
3. Optionally filter by **Event Types** (e.g., select `HAIL` and `TORNADO`) and **Countries** (e.g., `Germany`, `France`)
4. Set **Max Items** to limit results, or leave at `0` for all events
5. Click **Start** — a typical run completes in under 30 seconds
6. Download results as JSON, CSV, or Excel from the **Output** tab
---
#### Input parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `timeAmount` | Integer | No | `2` | How many time units to look back. Combined with `timeUnit` (e.g., `2` + `d` = last 2 days). Range: 1-365. |
| `timeUnit` | String | No | `"d"` | Time unit. Options: `h` (hours), `d` (days), `w` (weeks), `m` (months). |
| `eventTypes` | Array | No | `[]` (all) | Event type filter. Options: `HAIL`, `WIND`, `LIGHTNING`, `TORNADO`, `PRECIP`. Leave empty for all. |
| `countries` | Array | No | `[]` (all) | Country name filter as it appears on ESWD (e.g., `"Germany"`, `"France"`). Leave empty for all. |
| `maxItems` | Integer | No | `0` (unlimited) | Maximum events to save. `0` = no limit. |
| `includeDeleted` | Boolean | No | `false` | Include events deleted from the ESWD database. |
| `rawPayload` | String | No | — | Advanced: base64-encoded ESWD payload overriding all other inputs. Leave empty to use fields above. |
---
#### Output example
```json
{
"weather": "large hail",
"eventTypeRaw": "HAIL",
"eventDate": "2025-06-12",
"eventTime": "14:30 UTC",
"maxHailDiameter": "3.5",
"city": "Stuttgart",
"state": "Baden-Wurttemberg",
"country": "Germany",
"latitude": "48.78",
"longitude": "9.18",
"radius": "3",
"location": "Stuttgart Germany (48.78 N, 9.18 E) < 3 km (Thursday)14:30 UTC (+/- 30 min.)",
"locationRaw": "MaxHailDiameter:3.5 cm
Stuttgart Germany (48.78 N, 9.18 E)
",
"source": "based on information from: J. Mueller https://eswd.eu/report/12345"
}
````
***
#### Pricing
This Actor is **free to use** — you only pay for Apify platform compute time.
A typical run fetching 2 days of Europe-wide events (100-500 records) costs approximately **$0.01-$0.05** in Apify platform credits.
New Apify accounts receive **$5 in free credits** — enough for hundreds of runs.
***
#### Technical notes
- **No authentication required:** ESWD events are publicly accessible — no login or API key needed
- **API-based:** The scraper calls ESWD internal data API directly — fast and reliable
- **Endpoint stability:** The ESWD API endpoint may change if the site is rebuilt. If results stop returning, please report it.
- **Time accuracy:** Event times carry a +/- 30 minute margin as reported by ESWD
- **Location accuracy:** The `radius` field reflects ESWD place accuracy (typically 1-25 km)
- **Countries format:** Use two-letter ISO codes (e.g., `"DE"`, `"FR"`, `"IT"`)
- **Empty results:** If no events match your filters, try widening the time range or removing filters
***
#### Integrations
Output datasets work with any tool that accepts JSON or CSV:
- **REST API:** Trigger runs and retrieve data programmatically via the Apify API
- **Make (Integromat):** Use the Apify Make module to send event data to any connected app
- **Zapier:** Connect Actor runs to 5,000+ apps via the Apify Zapier integration
- **n8n:** Automate weather event pipelines with the Apify n8n node
- **Excel / Google Sheets:** Export dataset directly as CSV and import
***
#### Support
Have questions or found a bug? Reach out:
- **Email:** ScrapySpider@protonmail.com
- **Website:** [ScrapySpider.com](https://ScrapySpider.com)
- **Apify:** Open a support issue on this Actor page
- **Response time:** Within 24-48 hours on weekdays
# Actor input Schema
## `timeAmount` (type: `integer`):
How many time units to look back for events. Combined with Time Range Unit (e.g., 2 days = last 48 hours of events).
## `timeUnit` (type: `string`):
The time unit for the lookback period.
## `eventTypes` (type: `array`):
Filter results by weather event type. Leave empty to include all event types.
## `countries` (type: `array`):
Filter by two-letter ISO country code (e.g., 'DE' for Germany, 'FR' for France, 'IT' for Italy). Leave empty for all countries.
## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of events to save. Set to 0 for unlimited.
## `includeDeleted` (type: `boolean`):
Whether to include events that have been deleted from the ESWD database.
## `rawPayload` (type: `string`):
Optional base64-encoded raw ESWD API payload. Use this to override all other input fields for advanced filter configurations. Leave empty to use the fields above.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"timeAmount": 2,
"timeUnit": "d",
"eventTypes": [],
"countries": [],
"maxItems": 0,
"includeDeleted": false
}
```
# Actor output Schema
## `dataset` (type: `string`):
No description
# API
You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.
## JavaScript example
```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
token: '',
});
// Prepare Actor input
const input = {};
// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("scrapyspider/eswd-eu-scraper").call(input);
// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
console.dir(item);
});
// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs
```
## Python example
```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient
# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("")
# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {}
# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("scrapyspider/eswd-eu-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)
# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
print(item)
# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start
```
## CLI example
```bash
echo '{}' |
apify call scrapyspider/eswd-eu-scraper --silent --output-dataset
```
## MCP server setup
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"apify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=scrapyspider/eswd-eu-scraper",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer "
]
}
}
}
```
## OpenAPI specification
```json
{
"openapi": "3.0.1",
"info": {
"title": "ESWD Severe Weather Events Scraper",
"description": "Scrapes severe weather event reports from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD). Filter by time range, event type (hail, wind, tornado, lightning, rain), and country. Returns structured JSON with coordinates, dates, and source attribution. No account required.",
"version": "0.1",
"x-build-id": "MtlssaFMZIWfoBOFY"
},
"servers": [
{
"url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
}
],
"paths": {
"/acts/scrapyspider~eswd-eu-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-scrapyspider-eswd-eu-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
},
"/acts/scrapyspider~eswd-eu-scraper/runs": {
"post": {
"operationId": "runs-sync-scrapyspider-eswd-eu-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK",
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
}
}
}
}
}
}
},
"/acts/scrapyspider~eswd-eu-scraper/run-sync": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-scrapyspider-eswd-eu-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
}
},
"components": {
"schemas": {
"inputSchema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"timeAmount": {
"title": "Time Range Amount",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 365,
"type": "integer",
"description": "How many time units to look back for events. Combined with Time Range Unit (e.g., 2 days = last 48 hours of events).",
"default": 2
},
"timeUnit": {
"title": "Time Range Unit",
"enum": [
"h",
"d",
"w",
"m"
],
"type": "string",
"description": "The time unit for the lookback period.",
"default": "d"
},
"eventTypes": {
"title": "Event Types",
"uniqueItems": true,
"type": "array",
"description": "Filter results by weather event type. Leave empty to include all event types.",
"items": {
"type": "string",
"enum": [
"HAIL",
"WIND",
"LIGHTNING",
"TORNADO",
"PRECIP"
]
},
"default": []
},
"countries": {
"title": "Countries",
"type": "array",
"description": "Filter by two-letter ISO country code (e.g., 'DE' for Germany, 'FR' for France, 'IT' for Italy). Leave empty for all countries.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"default": []
},
"maxItems": {
"title": "Max Items",
"minimum": 0,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Maximum number of events to save. Set to 0 for unlimited.",
"default": 0
},
"includeDeleted": {
"title": "Include Deleted Events",
"type": "boolean",
"description": "Whether to include events that have been deleted from the ESWD database.",
"default": false
},
"rawPayload": {
"title": "Raw Payload (Advanced)",
"type": "string",
"description": "Optional base64-encoded raw ESWD API payload. Use this to override all other input fields for advanced filter configurations. Leave empty to use the fields above."
}
}
},
"runsResponseSchema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"data": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"id": {
"type": "string"
},
"actId": {
"type": "string"
},
"userId": {
"type": "string"
},
"startedAt": {
"type": "string",
"format": "date-time",
"example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
},
"finishedAt": {
"type": "string",
"format": "date-time",
"example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
},
"status": {
"type": "string",
"example": "READY"
},
"meta": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"origin": {
"type": "string",
"example": "API"
},
"userAgent": {
"type": "string"
}
}
},
"stats": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"inputBodyLen": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 2000
},
"rebootCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"restartCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"resurrectCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"computeUnits": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
},
"options": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"build": {
"type": "string",
"example": "latest"
},
"timeoutSecs": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 300
},
"memoryMbytes": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 1024
},
"diskMbytes": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 2048
}
}
},
"buildId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultDatasetId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultRequestQueueId": {
"type": "string"
},
"buildNumber": {
"type": "string",
"example": "1.0.0"
},
"containerUrl": {
"type": "string"
},
"usage": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 1
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_SERPS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
},
"usageTotalUsd": {
"type": "number",
"example": 0.00005
},
"usageUsd": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
"type": "number",
"example": 0.00005
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_SERPS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
```