The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC): Delivering Operational Space Weather Services to U.K. and International Partners to Assist with National and Global Preparedness

Severe space weather was added to the UK Government’s National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies in 2011, joining other high-impact hazards such as Icelandic volcanic eruptions, flu pandemics and widespread power failure.

In response, the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) was established to help build the resilience of UK infrastructure and industries to space weather events by providing a UK-based 24/7 space weather forecasting service. Fully operational since October 2014, it is one of only three centres around the globe which operates 24/7, providing forecasts and warnings of space weather for Government and responder communities, critical national infrastructure providers, and the general public.

In the 5^th anniversary year of MOSWOC's full-time operations, this talk will give an overview of MOSWOC, including:

• The evolution of MOSWOC from initial concept into a 24/7 space weather forecasting capability
• Customers of MOSWOC, and the products and services delivered
• Possible impacts of a "realistic worst case scenario" space weather event on the UK
• Engagement with academia, private industry and international organisations to further develop national and global capabilities, and working to address identified gaps in capability

Each point will help to illustrate MOSWOC’s contribution towards growing global preparedness in the face of severe space weather.