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lzinga

US Government Open Data MCP

epa_uv_index

Read-only

Obtain UV index forecast for U.S. locations via ZIP code or city/state to determine sun exposure risk and take appropriate sun safety measures.

Instructions

Get UV index forecast for a U.S. location (ZIP code or city/state). UV Scale: 0-2 Low, 3-5 Moderate, 6-7 High, 8-10 Very High, 11+ Extreme. Useful for health recommendations -- high UV correlates with skin cancer risk.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
zipNo5-digit ZIP code: '10001', '90210'. Use this OR city+state.
cityNoCity name: 'Los Angeles', 'Chicago'. Must be used with state.
stateNoTwo-letter state code: 'CA', 'IL'. Must be used with city.
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, so the description's 'Get' is consistent. The description adds UV scale context but does not disclose additional behaviors like data freshness or output format.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two efficient sentences, front-loading the purpose and essential scale info with no redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description explains what the tool does and the UV scale, but is missing details on output format (e.g., time of forecast, multiple days) despite no output schema. Adequate but not fully complete.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with each parameter already explaining the ZIP vs city/state mutual exclusivity. The tool description reiterates this and adds the UV scale, but adds little beyond the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool retrieves a UV index forecast for a U.S. location via ZIP or city/state. It includes the UV scale for interpretation and is distinct from sibling EPA tools.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides context for health recommendations but does not explicitly state when not to use this tool or mention alternative tools. The context implies usage but lacks exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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