Snotel MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server built with FastMCP for accessing USDA SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) weather and snow data through the AWDB (Air

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Snotel MCP server?

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server built with FastMCP for accessing USDA SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) weather and snow data through the AWDB (Air and Water Database) REST API. Exposed over MCP by the snotel mcp server, that capability becomes something an assistant can invoke while it works, not something you go and do afterwards.

Its toolset

Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:

  • DocumentationSwagger UI
  • Prerequisites — The Prerequisites tool exposed by this server
  • Installation — The Installation tool exposed by this server
  • find_snotel_stations — The find_snotel_stations tool exposed by this server
  • get_station_info — The get_station_info tool exposed by this server
  • get_station_data — Retrieve raw snow and weather data from a station in JSON format
  • get_recent_conditions — Get recent conditions from a station (last 30 days by default)
  • analyze_snowpack_trends — Analyze snowpack trends and calculate statistics for a time period
  • Logging — The server supports configurable logging levels. Set the log level via environment variable:

Configuration

  • Python 3.9+ - uv package manager (recommended) or pip

Adding it to your client

Installation goes through your MCP client rather than a global install: point it at pytest on PyPI and it is fetched when the client starts. The copy-paste blocks for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are further down this page.

When to reach for it

Among the database access options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Snotel's toolset — Documentation, Prerequisites, Installation and 6 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by jymmyt; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Snotel's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 9 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Snotel.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the snotel mcp server does with a few real requests.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
Documentation[Swagger UI](https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/awdbRestApi/swagger-ui/index.html)
PrerequisitesThe Prerequisites tool exposed by this server.
InstallationThe Installation tool exposed by this server.
find_snotel_stationsThe find_snotel_stations tool exposed by this server.
get_station_infoThe get_station_info tool exposed by this server.
get_station_dataRetrieve raw snow and weather data from a station in JSON format.
get_recent_conditionsGet recent conditions from a station (last 30 days by default).
analyze_snowpack_trendsAnalyze snowpack trends and calculate statistics for a time period.
LoggingThe server supports configurable logging levels. Set the log level via environment variable:

How to install the Snotel MCP server

Or if installed via pip:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "snotel": {
      "command": "snotel-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

  • Python 3.9+ - uv package manager (recommended) or pip

Example prompts to try

  • Use Snotel to Documentation.
  • Use Snotel to Prerequisites.
  • Use Snotel to Installation.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Snotel to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 9 tools (Documentation, Prerequisites, Installation, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Snotel directly.