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⚠️ Known Issue: Incorrect Thunderstorm Weather Codes #143

Description

@michaeljolley

If you're seeing weather_code: 95 (Thunderstorm) reported for your location despite clear skies and no precipitation, this is a known upstream bug in the Open Meteo API - not a bug with the Weather Extension for Command Palette.

What's happening: Open Meteo calculates thunderstorm codes using CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) and Lifted Index thresholds. In hot/humid regions (e.g., Texas, the US Midwest/South), CAPE frequently exceeds 3000 J/kg even on dry days. When the Lifted Index value is missing from the underlying weather model, the API incorrectly defaults to reporting a thunderstorm rather than treating the missing data as inconclusive.

Result: Hours with zero precipitation and clear skies are erroneously tagged as thunderstorms.

Status: This is tracked upstream at open-meteo/open-meteo #812 and has been an open issue since May 2024. There is no fix available yet, though it has gained traction in recent days.

Workaround: If you need accurate storm detection, cross-check weather_code against precipitation and precipitation_probability. If both are near zero, the thunderstorm code is likely a false positive and can be disregarded.

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