# Product Context: Hurricane Tracker MCP
## Why This Project Exists
### Problem Statement
AI assistants and applications need access to real-time hurricane tracking data, but accessing weather APIs directly requires:
- Complex API integration for each application
- Managing API keys and rate limits
- Handling different data formats and structures
- Implementing error handling and retry logic
- Staying updated with changing API endpoints
### Solution Approach
Hurricane Tracker MCP provides a standardized interface for hurricane data through the Model Context Protocol, allowing:
- **Unified Access**: Single MCP server handles all hurricane data complexity
- **Standardized Tools**: Consistent tool interface across different AI assistants
- **Real-time Updates**: Live hurricane tracking and forecast updates
- **Protocol Compliance**: Works with any MCP-compatible AI assistant or application
## Target Use Cases
### Primary Users
- **AI Assistants** (Cline, Claude Desktop, etc.) accessing hurricane information
- **Weather Applications** needing standardized hurricane data access
- **Emergency Response Tools** requiring real-time hurricane tracking
- **Research Applications** analyzing hurricane patterns and forecasts
### Key Scenarios
1. **Current Hurricane Status**: "What hurricanes are currently active?"
2. **Hurricane Tracking**: "Where is Hurricane [Name] headed?"
3. **Forecast Information**: "What's the 5-day forecast for Hurricane [Name]?"
4. **Alert Management**: "Are there any hurricane warnings for [Location]?"
5. **Historical Data**: "Hurricane information for specific time periods"
## User Experience Goals
### For AI Assistants
- **Simple Tool Calls**: Easy-to-use tools with clear parameters
- **Rich Responses**: Comprehensive hurricane data in structured format
- **Error Resilience**: Graceful handling of API failures or data unavailability
- **Performance**: Fast response times for real-time queries
### For Developers
- **Easy Integration**: Simple MCP server setup and configuration
- **Clear Documentation**: Well-documented tools and usage examples
- **Extensibility**: Architecture allowing additional weather-related tools
- **Reliability**: Robust error handling and logging
## Value Proposition
- **Simplicity**: One MCP server handles all hurricane data complexity
- **Standardization**: Protocol-compliant interface works across platforms
- **Reliability**: Production-grade implementation with proper error handling
- **Real-time**: Live updates for critical hurricane information
- **Open Source**: MIT license allows broad adoption and contribution
