Overview of the Committee for Operational Processing Centers (COPC)

In 1988 a formal committee was stood up to support and advance the goals of the Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR). The Committee for Operational Processing Center’s (COPC’s) purpose is to strengthen the interagency support of meteorological, oceanographic, and satellite operations between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Defence (DoD). The COPC member organizations include:

• National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)
• National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO)
• 557th Weather Wing (557 WW)
• Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC)
• Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO)

The members of COPC meet twice a year to discuss issues of interest related to:

• Promoting free and open exchange of information concerning numerical weather and ocean prediction modeling efforts, data resources or problems, and atmospheric, oceanographic, and satellite products
• Developing cooperative agreements for technical support and interface requirements, where appropriate
• Identifying areas where expanded coordination efforts are needed and recommend plans of actions

This presentation outlines the purpose, structure and cooperative exchanges within COPC that leads to an increased effectiveness of products and services for our customers.