How to Use the NCDC Climate Data Online MCP in Windsurf

Q: How do I configure NCDC Climate Data Online in Windsurf?

Edit your /.codeium/windsurf/mcpconfig.json file to add the MCP server details. You can also use the Settings → Cascade → MCP Servers UI to connect it. Click refresh, and Cascade will auto-discover the weather tools.

Q: Can Windsurf pull hourly temperature data from NCDC Climate Data Online?

Yes, if the station records it. Cascade runs listdataclasses to find the hourly dataset ID, then uses getclimatedata to pull the specific timeframe.

Give Cascade direct access to historical weather records. NCDC Climate Data Online feeds raw climate data straight into Windsurf.

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Connect NCDC Climate Data Online MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect NCDC Climate Data Online to Windsurf and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup NCDC Climate Data Online with Windsurf

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The `list_datasets` and `get_dataset` tools let Cascade map out available historical records before pulling them. You set the research goal, and the agent figures out which NCDC datasets match your exact criteria. Instead of manually clicking through government portals, Cascade runs `list_locations` to find the exact target area, then triggers `get_climate_data` to pull the records. It handles the entire multi-step retrieval process in the background.

Locate specific reporting stations

The `list_stations` and `get_station` tools allow your agent to pinpoint active weather tracking hardware globally. Cascade cross-references coordinates with available data classes to ensure the station actually recorded what you need. If you want precipitation trends from 1998, Cascade queries `list_data_categories` to find the correct internal ID. It then automatically chains that ID into a station search to filter out locations missing that specific sensor data.

Extract raw historical measurements

The `get_climate_data` tool acts as the core engine for fetching actual temperature, rainfall, and snowfall metrics. Cascade uses this to dump raw historical weather arrays straight into your workspace. Because NCDC splits data into strict types, your agent uses `list_data_types` to grab the exact metric codes first. You watch as Windsurf builds the API request, handles the pagination, and formats the output into your target CSV or JSON file.

Setup guide

Set up NCDC Climate Data Online MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the NCDC Climate Data Online MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my NCDC Climate Data Online payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the NCDC Climate Data Online tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ncdc-climate-data-online-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by NCDC Climate Data Online. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about NCDC Climate Data Online MCP in Windsurf

Edit your `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` file to add the MCP server details. You can also use the Settings → Cascade → MCP Servers UI to connect it. Click refresh, and Cascade will auto-discover the weather tools.

Yes, if the station records it. Cascade runs `list_data_classes` to find the hourly dataset ID, then uses `get_climate_data` to pull the specific timeframe.

The NCDC API uses a strict hierarchy. Your agent has to resolve location IDs and data type codes before it can request the actual measurements. Cascade handles this sequence autonomously.

Just tell Cascade the city or county you care about. It will execute `list_location_categories` followed by `list_stations` to map out every available reporting site in that area.

This MCP Server only reads public historical weather and climate records from government databases. No proprietary code or personal user information ever leaves your local machine. The agent simply sends location and date parameters to the public endpoints.

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