Topic: advforecast v.5.17 stopped working

[tshattuck]

Folks:
The NWS Forecasts stopped displaying today on my Home Page and http://yourlocalweather-clay-ny.com/wxforecast.php.
All my NWS Forecast pages have also stopped working. Does anyone know what has happened? Other local Weather Websites using the same script appear to be working okay.
I think it might be my web host: FastComet but I don't know how to determine if that is the issue.

Any assistance is appreciated. 

[saratogaWX]

Doing a view-source to run your wxforecast.php?force=1 page shows

<!-- advforecast2.php (multi) - V4.05 - 21-May-2018 -->
<!-- NWS URL: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.0504&lon=-76.1474&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=text&TextType=2 -->
<!-- zone=NYZ018 -->
<!-- curl fetching 'https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.0504&lon=-76.1474&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=text&TextType=2' -->
<!-- curl Error: Could not resolve host: forecast.weather.gov -->
<!-- HTTP stats:  RC=0 dest= port=0 (from sce=)
      Times: dns=0.000 conn=0.000 pxfer=0.000 get=0.000 total=0.000 secs -->

The problem is with your hoster.. their DNS can't seem to resolve forecast.weather.gov (and they should be able to resolve it easily).

Call your tech support and advise them that a DNS lookup for 'forecast.weather.gov' is failing on your website.

[tshattuck]

Ken:
Thanks for the quick response.
I had this issue one other time with FastComet and got it resolved with assistance from you.

I tried to perform the view-source before posting on the forum and couldn't get it to work, I am doing something wrong. What are the steps and syntax I need to use to get the output you did?
If I learn how to fish then I can feed myself - maybe.

Tom

[Jasiu]

What OS and browser are you on?

[saratogaWX]

With Firefox, Chrome or Edge, you can use view-source:http://yourlocalweather-clay-ny.com/wxforecast.php?force=1 then search the page for 'advforecast2' to see the status in HTML comments.
The same may work with Safari, but I don't have a Mac to test it with.

[Jasiu]

The same may work with Safari, but I don't have a Mac to test it with.

With Safari, first you have to open Safari Preferences, click on the Advanced tab, and check the box "Show Develop Menu in menu bar".

Then you can control-click somewhere on the page (or right click if enabled) and select "Show Page Source".

"view-source:" on the URL doesn't work. At least not for me.

[saratogaWX]

Thanks, Jasiu!

[tshattuck]

Ken:
I used your syntax and it worked. I took a screenshot of your instructions for future use.

FastComet is still working the issue, the last time I had this problem it took them several days to resolve.
For my browser I use Firefox I found it to be user friendly, I am also running Windows 10 Home.

Thanks for your time and efforts.

[tshattuck]

Hello:
My web host: FastComet is still working the DNS issue on their server(s). They say it's due to a DDoS attack which is still ongoing, with no ETA.
It has been four days since this problem started. I've had several users complain how my website is not displaying NWS Forecasts and Advisories.

At his point I don't know how to proceed. This problem has a occurred before with this web host, so I am concerned. I've been with FastComet 2 years, before that I was with GoDaddy. GoDaddy became expensive so I switched web hosts. This is very frustrating. 

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

[saratogaWX]

Alas, on a shared webserver, there's nothing you can do on the server (as you're blocked from those manipulations).

I run my own server as a VPS, so I have root access and can edit the /etc/hosts file to add entries that are having problems with DNS lookup.

A DDoS sounds quite problematic, particularly with no ETA on mitigation.

[tshattuck]

Ken:

Thanks for the feedback. I just sent FastComet another email asking for an update on the DDoS and DNS server issue. I am pushing for an ETA, if they can't resolve I asked them to tell me now.
It will be interesting to see their response. This has happened before so they most have some procedural issues. Is there anything I can do with the script - different version etc?

I may need recommendations for a new Web Host.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[tshattuck]

Folks:

FYI: My website is functioning normal again! 
My web host FastComet is still working the DDoS issue (see attached). This has been a little frustrating. I am glad to have my website working normally.

Regards