# AirNow integrations: forecasts

> AirNow is the US Environmental Protection Agency's air quality service, publishing real-time observations and forecasts of the Air Quality Index by ZIP…

**Canonical page:** https://tray.ai/connectors/airnow-integrations/
**Categories:** Data and analytics
**Connects through:** HTTP Connector

## Overview

AirNow is the US Environmental Protection Agency's air quality service, publishing real-time observations and forecasts of the Air Quality Index by ZIP code, location and reporting area. Tray.ai connects to AirNow through the HTTP Connector, so your workflows can call the AirNow API alongside the rest of your stack.

## Use cases

### Forecasts

Read forecasts in AirNow from any Tray.ai workflow. The AirNow API covers calls such as get forecasts by ZIP code and get forecasts by coordinates.

- Get forecasts by ZIP code
- Get forecasts by coordinates
- Get historical forecasts by reporting area

### Current observations

Read current observations in AirNow from any Tray.ai workflow. The AirNow API covers calls such as get observations by ZIP code and get observations by coordinates.

- Get observations by ZIP code
- Get observations by coordinates
- Get observations by reporting area

### Monitoring site observations

Read monitoring site observations in AirNow from any Tray.ai workflow. The AirNow API covers calls such as get hourly site observations and get daily site observations.

- Get hourly site observations
- Get daily site observations

### Contour maps

Read contour maps in AirNow from any Tray.ai workflow. The AirNow API covers calls such as get PM2.5 contour maps and get ozone contour maps.

- Get PM2.5 contour maps
- Get ozone contour maps

## Challenges Tray.ai solves

### Keeping AirNow credentials out of logs

A raw API call usually means pasting a key or token into the request, where it ends up in step inputs, logs, and screenshots.

**How Tray.ai helps:** Store AirNow credentials once as a Tray.ai authentication and reference them from the HTTP Connector. Tray.ai masks authentication values in logs, so the secret never shows up in a step's input or output.

### Going from the AirNow API docs to a working call

Translating an example request from API docs into a workflow step means copying the method, URL, headers, and body by hand.

**How Tray.ai helps:** Paste a cURL example from the AirNow API docs into the HTTP Connector and Tray.ai fills in the method, URL, headers, and body for you.

### Handling files and non-JSON responses

Not every API answers in JSON. Some return XML, files, or binary data, or expect a multipart upload.

**How Tray.ai helps:** The HTTP Connector parses JSON and XML responses, returns files you can pass to the next step, and sends multipart form data for uploads.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Tray.ai connect to AirNow?

Yes. Tray.ai connects to AirNow through the HTTP Connector, which calls the AirNow API directly. Any call the AirNow API documents can run as a step in a Tray.ai workflow.

### How does Tray.ai authenticate with AirNow?

The AirNow API uses an API key in the query string. You save it once as a Tray.ai authentication, and the HTTP Connector adds it to every request.

### Can I get a dedicated AirNow connector?

AirNow runs through the HTTP Connector rather than a dedicated connector. If your team wants one, the Tray.ai connector SDK can build a dedicated AirNow connector from the AirNow API.

## Learn more

- Intelligent Integration: https://tray.ai/platform/intelligent-ipaas/
- Merlin Agent Builder: https://tray.ai/platform/merlin-agent-builder/
- Agent Gateway for MCP: https://tray.ai/platform/agent-gateway/
- Book a demo: https://tray.ai/contact/