Ocean Prediction Center

Ocean Prediction Center
Agency overview
Formed1995
JurisdictionUnited States government
HeadquartersCollege Park, MD
Agency executives
  • A.J. Reiss, Director
  • Kathy Gilbert
Websiteocean.weather.gov
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OPC pressure forecast valid at 48 hours

The Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), established in 1995, is one of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's (NCEP's) original six service centers.[1] Until 2003, the name of the organization was the Marine Prediction Center.[2] Its origins are traced back to the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The OPC issues forecasts up to five days in advance for ocean areas north of 31° north latitude and west of 35° west longitude in the Atlantic, and across the northeast Pacific north of 30° north latitude and east of 160° east longitude. Until recently, the OPC provided forecast points for tropical cyclones north of 20° north latitude and east of the 60° west longitude to the National Hurricane Center.[3] OPC is composed of two branches: the Ocean Forecast Branch and the Ocean Applications Branch.

  1. ^ Stephanie Kenitzer (1995-05-18). "NOAA Creates National Centers for Environmental Prediction". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2008-09-16. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  2. ^ Ocean Prediction Center (2004). Ocean Prediction Center: 2003 Accomplishments. Archived 2016-06-02 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-09-03.
  3. ^ Staff Writer, Ocean Prediction Center (2005-01-05). "Vision & Mission Statement". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2008-09-03.