The National Meteorological Centre (NMC), firstly established as the Central Meteorological Observatory (CMO) in March 1, 1950, is a technology-based non-profit public institution. It is the national weather forecast centre of China, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for Asia designated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Environmental Emergency Response Centre (EERC). For more than 60 years, NMC has been dedicating to the improvement of weather forecast accuracy as well as prevention and reduction of natural disasters. So far, a three-level numerical forecast system for medium-term, regional and professional numerical forecast has taken shape.

Forecast and alarm system for typhoon, rainstorm, cold-air outbreak, high temperature, sand and dust storm and heavy fog has been established. NMC is able to make quantitative precipitation forecast for 0 to 3 days, day-by-day rolling element forecast for 4 to 7 days, and extended-range forecasts for 11 to 30 days. A meteorological service system consisting of early warning information service, meteorological service for decision-making, professional meteorological service and specialized meteorological service has been established to provide services covering a wide range of sectors of national economy, including agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, transportation, energy, water, ocean, environmental protection, insurance and commerce.

Main missions:
Taking the lead in designing the weather, ecology and agricultural meteorology systems, carrying out scientific research projects and formulating business codes and criteria; undertaking weather forecast, early warning, monitoring and evaluation across China and major parts of the world; offering meteorological service products on weather, ecology and agriculture to the public; producing comprehensive meteorological service data for the Central Government and relevant authorities to make decisions; developing, improving, upgrading, operating, maintaining, explaining and applying the numerical forecast systems as well as inspecting and evaluating their models; offering technical guidance to subordinating weather forecast stations; and carrying out  application researches and R&D in numerical forecast, weather, ecology and agricultural meteorology and other sectors.