The Operational Prediction Branch (OPB) prepares and disseminates NWS climate outlooks to a wide array of users that include: NWS field offices, government agencies, regional and local governments, the media, and the general public.

The OPB produces outlooks for temperature and precipitation for the 6-10 and 8-14 day periods, upcoming month and for seasons out to one year. Hazard outlooks for the U.S. and global Tropics, contributions to the multi-agency Drought Monitor and monthly and seasonal drought outlooks are also prepared by the OPB.

The OPB maintains, develops and applies empirical, statistical and dynamical techniques to support, improve and extend CPC's official operational climate outlooks. Climate database management (assembling, quality control, and interpretation of global data), realtime outlook verification and application of new and improved web related technology and applications are an important component of the work in the OPB.