Is there a role for a national center in operational, coastal atmospheric and ocean prediction?
James E. Hoke, NOAA/NWS/NCEP, Camp Springs, MD The mission of NOAAs Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) is to provide atmospheric and oceanographic warning, forecast, and analysis products and services for the north Atlantic and north Pacific as part of the National Weather Service (NWS) mission of protecting life and property and enhancing economic opportunity. Twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, the OPC strives to be the mariners weather lifeline through exceptional products and customer service. The OPC provides critical weather and ocean information to a wide spectrum of partners and customers. Within the federal government these groups include the NWS field offices, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the National Ocean Services Response and Restoration office, the NOAA Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Heavily dependent on OPC products are the commercial shipping and transportation industries, commercial and recreational fishing, private weather
