The Storm Prediction Center is part of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), operating under the control of the National Weather Service, which in turn is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. government.
Its purpose is mainly to forecast thunderstorms which may produce damage, such as hail or a tornado.
Until October 1995, the SPC was known as the National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC).
