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Weather Prediction Center
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<p>The Weather Prediction Center (WPC), located in <a href="/facts/College_Park%2c_Maryland/EwTcpufP">College Park, Maryland</a>, is one of nine service centers under the umbrella of the <a href="/facts/National_Centers_for_Environmental_Prediction/hFHpe17S">National Centers for Environmental Prediction</a> (NCEP), a part of the <a href="/facts/National_Weather_Service/gcWCQRzr">National Weather Service</a> (NWS), which in turn is part of the <a href="/facts/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration/IvcuqNJg">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) of the <a href="/facts/U.S._Government/VJCxUaf7">U.S. Government</a>. Until March 5, 2013, the Weather Prediction Center was known as the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC). The Weather Prediction Center serves as a center for <a href="/facts/Quantitative_precipitation_forecast/LlXEPIlp">quantitative precipitation forecasting</a>, medium range <a href="/facts/Weather_forecasting/nzqyMFCa">forecasting</a> (three to eight days), and the interpretation of <a href="/facts/Numerical_weather_prediction/TXdbEfE4">numerical weather prediction</a> <a href="/facts/Computer_simulation/Re6o8vzN">computer models</a>. </p><p>The Weather Prediction Center issues storm summaries on storm systems bringing significant rainfall and snowfall to portions of the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a>. They also forecast precipitation amounts for the lower 48 United States for systems expected to impact the country over the next seven days. Advisories are also issued for <a href="/facts/Tropical_cyclone/FQzVXly7">tropical cyclones</a> which have moved inland, weakened to tropical depression strength, and are no longer the responsibility of the <a href="/facts/National_Hurricane_Center/P2Y72V5Q">National Hurricane Center</a>. The Weather Prediction Center also acts as the backup office to the <a href="/facts/National_Hurricane_Center/P2Y72V5Q">National Hurricane Center</a> in the event of a complete communications failure. </p><p>Long range climatological forecasts are produced by the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), a branch of the National Weather Service. These include 8–14 day outlooks, monthly outlooks, and seasonal outlooks. </p>