Broadcast-Grade Weather Overlay for OBS: OpenWeather HUD + NWS Alerts Ticker

Broadcast-Grade Weather Overlay for OBS Studio

I created this broadcast-grade weather overlay for OBS Studio with one goal in mind: to deliver a clean, professional, television-style presentation that integrates seamlessly into any live stream. This is not a rounded, playful widget. It is a sharp, structured, transparent animated canvas built specifically for the OBS Studio Browser Source. It sits perfectly on top of gameplay, webcam layouts, news scenes, or full-screen content without distracting from what matters most: your broadcast.

The entire overlay runs on a transparent canvas, which means you can layer it over any background or scene without visual artifacts. Whether I am streaming weather updates, running a local news-style segment, or simply adding environmental context to my content, this overlay provides a premium, studio-level look that elevates the production value instantly.

What Is Included in the Overlay

This weather overlay is designed as a complete broadcast HUD system. It combines real-time data, structured layout, and animation into one cohesive visual package.

On the left side, I get a structured weather HUD that displays current conditions with clear visual hierarchy. Temperature, essential metrics, and condition indicators are arranged in a way that feels natural and readable during a live broadcast. Below the current metrics, a 6-day forecast is rendered as a vertical list, showing the weekday, representative icon, and minimum and maximum temperatures. This provides extended context without overwhelming the screen.

In the top-right corner, a live clock and date update every second. The design keeps this element minimal and right-aligned, without unnecessary containers or cards, preserving the broadcast aesthetic. At the bottom of the screen, a scrolling ticker displays the latest NWS or NOAA alerts filtered by state. Alerts are sorted by severity to ensure that the most critical information appears first.

OpenWeather API Key Requirement

Important: A valid OpenWeather API key is required for the overlay to function correctly. The system relies on OpenWeather to fetch current conditions and forecast data in real time. Without an API key, weather data will not load.

If I do not already have an API key, I can generate one for free directly from OpenWeather. Once generated, I simply paste it into the configuration file, and the overlay begins pulling live data automatically. This keeps the system flexible and ensures accurate, up-to-date weather reporting.

How Configuration Works

All customization is handled through a single config.json file. I do not need to edit the core overlay code. This approach makes the system scalable, clean, and easy to maintain.

Within the configuration file, I can define the canvas resolution, device pixel ratio, and frame rate cap to match my streaming setup. Locale settings allow me to select language and timezone, which affects both the clock display and daily forecast grouping. Styling options give me control over accent colors, glass opacity, stroke thickness, and corner radius so I can maintain a square or near-square broadcast aesthetic.

The OpenWeather section allows me to enter my API key, select units (metric or imperial), define update intervals, and choose how the location is resolved using city name, ZIP code, or geographic coordinates. Forecast settings determine how many days are rendered and which hour represents the daily icon.

Layout controls provide detailed adjustments for HUD scaling, clock formatting (12 or 24-hour format, optional seconds, optional year), and ticker behavior including speed, height, label width, and message separator. I can also enable or disable NWS alerts, select a state code, and limit how many alerts appear at once.

Ideal for Live Streaming and Broadcast Content

I use this overlay when I want a polished, news-style layer in my stream. It works perfectly for weather-focused streams, storm tracking coverage, local updates, emergency broadcasts, or simply adding environmental realism to gaming or IRL content. Because the canvas remains transparent, it blends naturally into any OBS scene configuration.

The visual hierarchy, animation performance, and data structure make it feel like a real broadcast graphics package rather than a simple widget. For content creators who want a television-grade presentation inside OBS Studio, this overlay delivers both flexibility and professional aesthetics.

Quick Setup in OBS Studio

Setting it up inside OBS is straightforward. I add a new Browser Source, enable the local file option, and point it to the overlay.html file. Then I open config.json, paste my OpenWeather API key, configure my preferred state code for alerts, and save the file. Once added to the scene, I position the source above other elements. Because the background is fully transparent, it integrates instantly into my layout.

With minimal setup and extensive customization, this broadcast-grade weather overlay transforms any OBS Studio project into a professional live production environment.