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[[Image:Opc48hrprog.gif|thumb|right|250 px|OPC pressure forecast valid at 48 hours]]
[[Image:Opc48hrprog.gif|thumb|right|250 px|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.<ref name="MPC">{{cite web|author=Stephanie Kenitzer|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|url=http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pr95/may95/ncep.html|title=NOAA Creates National Centers for Environmental Prediction|date=1995-05-18|access-date=2008-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916154755/http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pr95/may95/ncep.html|archive-date=2008-09-16}}</ref> Until 2003, the name of the organization was the Marine Prediction Center.<ref name="renaming">Ocean Prediction Center (2004). [http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Accomplishments/2003.shtml Ocean Prediction Center: 2003 Accomplishments.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602084250/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Accomplishments/2003.shtml |date=2016-06-02 }} Retrieved on 2008-09-03.</ref> Its origins are traced back to the sinking of the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']] in 1912. The OPC issues [[marine weather forecasting|forecasts]] up to five days in advance for ocean areas north of 31°&nbsp;north latitude and west of [[35th meridian west|35° west longitude]] in the Atlantic, and across the northeast Pacific north of [[30th parallel north|30° north latitude]] and east of [[160th meridian east|160° east longitude]]. Until recently, the OPC provided forecast points for [[tropical cyclone]]s north of [[20th parallel north|20° north latitude]] and east of the [[60th meridian west|60° west longitude]] to the [[National Hurricane Center]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff Writer, Ocean Prediction Center|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/abtopc.shtml|title=Vision & Mission Statement|date=2005-01-05|access-date=2008-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924075914/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/abtopc.shtml|archive-date=2012-09-24}}</ref> OPC is composed of two branches: the Ocean Forecast Branch and the Ocean Applications Branch.
The '''Ocean Prediction Center''' (OPC), established in 1995, is one of the [[National Centers for Environmental Prediction]]'s (NCEP's) original six service centers.<ref name="MPC">{{cite web|author=Stephanie Kenitzer|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|url=http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pr95/may95/ncep.html|title=NOAA Creates National Centers for Environmental Prediction|date=1995-05-18|access-date=2008-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916154755/http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pr95/may95/ncep.html|archive-date=2008-09-16}}</ref> Until 2003, the name of the organization was the Marine Prediction Center.<ref name="renaming">Ocean Prediction Center (2004). [http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Accomplishments/2003.shtml Ocean Prediction Center: 2003 Accomplishments.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602084250/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Accomplishments/2003.shtml |date=2016-06-02 }} Retrieved on 2008-09-03.</ref> 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°&nbsp;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]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff Writer, Ocean Prediction Center|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/abtopc.shtml|title=Vision & Mission Statement|date=2005-01-05|access-date=2008-09-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924075914/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/abtopc.shtml|archive-date=2012-09-24}}</ref>  
 
== Branches ==
OPC is composed of two branches:  
 
* Ocean Forecast Branch
* Ocean Applications Branch


==History==
==History==
{{See also|Marine weather forecasting}}
The first attempt as a marine weather program within the United States was initiated in New Orleans, Louisiana, by the [[Signal Corps (United States Army)|United States Army Signal Corps]]. A January 23, 1873, memo directed the New Orleans Signal Observer to transcribe meteorological data from the ship logs of those arriving in port.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Mariners Weather Log]]|date=March 1973|title=Historic Letter Establishing Marine Program at New Orleans|editor=Elwyn E. Wilson|volume=17|number=2|page=85|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> Marine forecasting responsibility transferred from the United States Navy to the Weather Bureau in 1904, which enabled the receipt of timely observations from ships at sea.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://mitp-webdev.mit.edu/sites/default/files/titles/content/9780262517355_sch_0001.pdf|title=Weather By the Numbers: The Genesis of Modern Meteorology|publisher=The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press|author=Kristine C. Harper|page=18|isbn=978-0-262-08378-2|date=2008}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The basis for OPC's mission can be traced back to the sinking of the ''Titanic'' in April 1912. In response to that tragedy, an international commission was formed to determine requirements for safer ocean voyages. In 1914, the commission's work resulted in the [[International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea]], of which the United States is one of the original signatories.
The first attempt as a marine weather program within the United States was initiated in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], by the [[Signal Corps (United States Army)|United States Army Signal Corps]]. A January 23, 1873, memo directed the New Orleans Signal Observer to transcribe meteorological data from the ship logs of those arriving in port.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Mariners Weather Log]]|date=March 1973|title=Historic Letter Establishing Marine Program at New Orleans|editor=Elwyn E. Wilson|volume=17|number=2|page=85|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> Marine forecasting responsibility transferred from the United States Navy to the Weather Bureau in 1904, which enabled the receipt of timely observations from ships at sea.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://mitp-webdev.mit.edu/sites/default/files/titles/content/9780262517355_sch_0001.pdf|title=Weather By the Numbers: The Genesis of Modern Meteorology|publisher=The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press|author=Kristine C. Harper|page=18|isbn=978-0-262-08378-2|date=2008}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The basis for OPC's mission can be traced back to the sinking of the ''Titanic'' in April 1912. In response to that tragedy, an international commission was formed to determine requirements for safer ocean voyages. In 1914, the commission's work resulted in the [[International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea]], of which the United States is one of the original signatories.


In 1957, in order to help address marine issues, the [[United States Weather Bureau]] started to publish the ''[[Mariners Weather Log]]'' bi-monthly publication to report past weather conditions primarily over Northern Hemisphere oceans, information regarding the globe's tropical cyclone seasons, to publish monthly climatologies for use of those at sea, and to encourage voluntary ship observations from vessels at sea. From 1957 through 1966, the United States Weather Bureau's Office of Climatology published the Log. From 1966 through the summer of 1995, the Environmental Data Service, which became the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration#National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)|National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service]], published the magazine.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Mariners Weather Log |date=April 1998 |page=3 |author=Martin S. Baron |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |volume=42 |title=From the Editorial Supervisor |issue=1}}</ref>
In 1957, in order to help address marine issues, the [[United States Weather Bureau]] started to publish the ''[[Mariners Weather Log]]'' bi-monthly publication to report past weather conditions primarily over Northern Hemisphere oceans, information regarding the globe's tropical cyclone seasons, to publish monthly climatologies for use of those at sea, and to encourage voluntary ship observations from vessels at sea. From 1957 through 1966, the United States Weather Bureau's Office of Climatology published the Log. From 1966 through the summer of 1995, the Environmental Data Service, which became the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration#National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)|National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service]], published the magazine.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Mariners Weather Log |date=April 1998 |page=3 |author=Martin S. Baron |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |volume=42 |title=From the Editorial Supervisor |issue=1}}</ref>


Within the United States National Weather Service (NWS), forecast weather maps began to be published by offices in [[New York City]], [[San Francisco]], and [[Honolulu]] for public use. North Atlantic forecasts were shifted from a closed [[United States Navy]] endeavor to a National Weather Service product suite via radiofacsimile in 1971, while northeast Pacific forecasts became publicly available by the same method in 1972.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Mariners Weather Log]]|date=March 1972|volume=16|number=2|pages=71–76|author=World Meteorological Organization|author-link=World Meteorological Organization|title=Radiofacsimile Transmission of Weather Charts For Ships|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> Between 1986 and 1989,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/mmab/papers/tn33/OPC33.pdf|page=iii|title=Office Note 361: A Columbia River Entrance Wave Forecasting Program Development at the Ocean Products Center|date=October 1989|author=Yung Y. Chao and Tina L. Bertucci|publisher=National Meteorological Center}}</ref> the portion of the National Meteorological Center (NMC) known as the Ocean Products Center (OPC) was responsible for marine weather forecasting guidance within the NWS.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1410&page=6|page=6|title=Opportunities to Improve Marine Weather Forecasting|author=National Research Council|publisher=National Academy Press|date=1989|access-date=2013-04-12|isbn=0-309-04090-6}}</ref> Between August 1989 and 1995, the unit named the Marine Forecast Branch also was involved in providing objective analysis and forecast products for marine and oceanographic variables.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/mmab/papers/tn43/OPC43.pdf|title=OPC Unified Marine Database Verification System|author=Vera M. Gerald|date=August 1989|page=1|publisher=National Meteorological Center}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Mariners Weather Log |date=Fall 1995|page=18|author=Glen Paine|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |volume=39 |title=Heavy Weather Avoidance: A Mariners Perspective Part 2|issue=4}}</ref>
Within the United States National Weather Service (NWS), forecast weather maps began to be published by offices in New York City, San Francisco, and [[Honolulu]] for public use. North Atlantic forecasts were shifted from a closed [[United States Navy]] endeavor to a National Weather Service product suite via radiofacsimile in 1971, while northeast Pacific forecasts became publicly available by the same method in 1972.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Mariners Weather Log]]|date=March 1972|volume=16|number=2|pages=71–76|author=World Meteorological Organization|author-link=World Meteorological Organization|title=Radiofacsimile Transmission of Weather Charts For Ships|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> Between 1986 and 1989,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/mmab/papers/tn33/OPC33.pdf|page=iii|title=Office Note 361: A Columbia River Entrance Wave Forecasting Program Development at the Ocean Products Center|date=October 1989|author=Yung Y. Chao and Tina L. Bertucci|publisher=National Meteorological Center}}</ref> the portion of the National Meteorological Center (NMC) known as the Ocean Products Center (OPC) was responsible for marine weather forecasting guidance within the NWS.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1410&page=6|page=6|title=Opportunities to Improve Marine Weather Forecasting|author=National Research Council|publisher=National Academy Press|date=1989|access-date=2013-04-12|isbn=0-309-04090-6}}</ref> Between August 1989 and 1995, the unit named the Marine Forecast Branch also was involved in providing objective analysis and forecast products for marine and oceanographic variables.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/mmab/papers/tn43/OPC43.pdf|title=OPC Unified Marine Database Verification System|author=Vera M. Gerald|date=August 1989|page=1|publisher=National Meteorological Center}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Mariners Weather Log |date=Fall 1995|page=18|author=Glen Paine|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |volume=39 |title=Heavy Weather Avoidance: A Mariners Perspective Part 2|issue=4}}</ref>


When the [[National Centers for Environmental Prediction]] was created, the Marine Prediction Center (MPC) was organized to assume the U.S. obligation to issue warnings and forecasts for portions of the North [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and North [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] oceans. MPC was expected to be moved from [[Camp Springs, Maryland]], to [[Monterey, California]],<ref name="MPC"/> but this did not occur. The Center was renamed the Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) on January 12, 2003.<ref name="renaming"/><ref name="OPCover">{{cite web| author=David Feit| publisher=Ocean Prediction Center| url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/OPC_Overview_ESM.shtml| title=Ocean Prediction Center: Overview| date=2008-06-19| access-date=2008-09-03| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909075511/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/OPC_Overview_ESM.shtml| archive-date=2008-09-09}}</ref>
When the [[National Centers for Environmental Prediction]] was created, the Marine Prediction Center (MPC) was organized to assume the U.S. obligation to issue warnings and forecasts for portions of the North [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and North [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] oceans. MPC was expected to be moved from Camp Springs, Maryland, to Monterey, California,<ref name="MPC"/> but this did not occur. The Center was renamed the Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) on January 12, 2003.<ref name="renaming"/><ref name="OPCover">{{cite web| author=David Feit| publisher=Ocean Prediction Center| url=http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/OPC_Overview_ESM.shtml| title=Ocean Prediction Center: Overview| date=2008-06-19| access-date=2008-09-03| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909075511/http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/OPC_Overview_ESM.shtml| archive-date=2008-09-09}}</ref>


==Products==
==Products==
[[File:NWSmarinezones.gif|thumb|The National Weather Service areas of marine weather forecasting responsibility]]
[[Image:Opcwaveanalysis.gif|thumb|right|250 px|Wave height analysis from OPC]]
OPC's Ocean Forecast Branch issues warnings and forecasts in print and graphical formats for up five days into the future. Over 100 forecast products are issued daily. They cover the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] from the west coast of Europe to the U.S. and Canadian east coasts, and the North Pacific Ocean from the U.S. and Canadian west coast to the east coast of Asia. OPC weather forecasts and warnings for these areas primarily ensure the safety of ocean-crossing commercial ships and other vessels on the high seas. Embedded in these high seas areas are smaller offshore zones off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. These zones extend from near the coast seaward to just beyond the U.S. [[Exclusive Economic Zone]]s, out to about {{convert|250|nmi|km}}. OPC services ensure the safety of the extensive commercial and recreational fishing, boating, and shipping activities in these offshore waters.
OPC's Ocean Forecast Branch issues warnings and forecasts in print and graphical formats for up five days into the future. Over 100 forecast products are issued daily. They cover the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] from the west coast of Europe to the U.S. and Canadian east coasts, and the North Pacific Ocean from the U.S. and Canadian west coast to the east coast of Asia. OPC weather forecasts and warnings for these areas primarily ensure the safety of ocean-crossing commercial ships and other vessels on the high seas. Embedded in these high seas areas are smaller offshore zones off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. These zones extend from near the coast seaward to just beyond the U.S. [[Exclusive Economic Zone]]s, out to about {{convert|250|nmi|km}}. OPC services ensure the safety of the extensive commercial and recreational fishing, boating, and shipping activities in these offshore waters.


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[[Category:Maritime organizations]]
[[Category:Maritime organizations]]
[[Category:Weather prediction]]
[[Category:Weather prediction]]
[[Category:Climate change organizations]]
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