I found weatherapi.com easy to use, but they limit free API calls to 3 days of data. I wanted to use NOAA's API, but couldn't make the returns usable before the project due date. Maybe you'll have better luck. ... I went to two python courses and both used https://openweathermap.org in their ... More on reddit.com

There aren't really any "packages" for directly accessing model data. Do you already have direct access to model GRIB/netCDF output? Are you able to access it locally, or only remotely (possibly via THREDDS)? What are you going to be doing with the data - what sort of mapping/analysis? Answers to these questions will help us point you in the right direction with respect to what packages will be most useful for you. My GCM analysis stack uses the following two tools as its basic components: xray - A well-stocked, high-level netCDF reader and multi-dimensional extension to pandas . It has all sorts of nifty things in it, but I find it the most convenient package for writing expressive, semantic code which clearly documents how I manipulate and analyze model output. cartopy - Don't use basemap; use this instead. Cartopy is a mapping toolkit developed at the UK Met Office. It wraps powerful geospatial analysis libraries underneath the hood, and seamlessly links with numpy so that you can use it with xray. I've found it simpler to use than basemap and that it makes much nicer plots. Beyond this, we can probably recommend more specialized tools if you give us a more thorough use case you're envisioning. More on reddit.com

I use VisualCrossing for work and we use the paid edition but it says you can use the free tier without a credit card. More on reddit.com

And if you have a suggestion as to an easier API I could learn to use as my first one then that would be awesome too! Google Maps API is very easy. I recommend starting with the with the distance calculator web service API , then try experimenting with some of the JavaScript and Android APIs if you're feeling adventurous. More on reddit.com