The National Weather Center is comprised of multiple agencies from the federal, state and local levels, combined with academic entities as well as research and development partners. These organizations work together in partnership to improve understanding of events occurring in the Earth's atmosphere over a wide range of time and space scales. The NWC houses approximately 550 people. This including research scientists, operational meteorologists and climatologists, engineers, technicians, support staff, and graduate and undergraduate students.
If you visit the NWC without an arranged meeting or tour reservation, your experience will be limited to the first floor of the building, which features Science on a Sphere and the Flying Cow Café.
All tours require a reservation due to scheduling and security guidelines (walk-in tours are not permitted). Tours fill up quickly, so please allow 2-4 weeks advance notice for reservations.
Please bring a valid ID, (such as a driver's license, OU, NOAA, or Research Campus ID) to assist with checking in at the security desk.
NWC security guidelines require that foreign nationals (non-US citizens) obtain a security clearance. Foreign national visitors are required to complete and submit the NWC Foreign National Visitor Form at least two weeks in advance of a tour date. In order to receive the required form, you must first register for a tour.
Due to heightened security measures, the following baggage and parcel control policy is in effect for the National Weather Center:
The National Weather Center (“NWC”), including its academic and research units, are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all students, employees, and participants in their day-to-day work as well as in any conference, workshop, field project, or project hosted or managed by the NWC no matter what role they play or their background. The NWC prohibits discrimination and/or harassment of anyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran, as well as any other characteristics protected under state or federal law.
We expect all students, employees, and participants (including those not directly affiliated with OU/NWC partners) to abide by the NWC Protocol (pdf) when operating in the NWC or during any NWC-related event. This Protocol is a compilation of relevant University policies assembled for convenience and this Protocol does not supersede or modify any existing OU or NWC partner policies.
NWC Security guidelines require that foreign nationals (non-US citizens) obtain security clearance. Foreign national visitors are required to complete and submit the NWC Foreign National Visitor Form at least two weeks in advance of a tour date. In order to receive the required form, you must first register for a tour.
From home cooking to unique traditions to rotating weekly specials, the menu at the Flying Cow Café never fails to satisfy. We offer personal pizzas, grill items, various breakfast items, and hot and cold sandwiches.
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Breakfast: Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Grill & Hot Bar: Monday - Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Flying Cow Café
OU Campus Dining
(405) 325-1141
Yes. Please email tours@nwc.ou.edu for additional information.
All visitors to the National Weather Center (NWC) must check in with NWC Security staff and be met by a unit representative (point of contact) to be allowed beyond the first floor areas. This security is in place because the NWC follows federal security regulations due to the housing of federal entities in the building.
The easiest way to visit someone who resides in the NWC is to arrange your visit with them. The NWC resident can either meet you at the security desk or alert security to contact them upon your arrival.
Yes. The NWC Library supports the wider meteorology community in Norman. If you are a visitor to the NWC without approved credentials, (OU, NOAA, or Research Campus ID) you should arrange your visit with the NWC Librarian.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to eat at the Flying Cow Café. The "Cow" is open to the public during regular operating hours. If you don't have approved identification, (OU, NOAA, or Research Campus ID) simply check in with NWC Security upon your arrival and they will provide you with a visitor badge which must be displayed during your visit.
The NWC follows federal security regulations due to the housing of federal entities in the building. Visitors, residents, and students must display approved identification while in any public area of the NWC. The NWC Security staff is knowledgeable regarding these types of identification. If you don't have an approved OU, NOAA, or Research Campus ID, a visitor badge will be provided to you upon checking in with NWC Security with a government issued photo ID.
The NWC prohibits discrimination and/or harassment of anyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran, as well as any other characterstics protected under state or federal law.
We expect all students, employees, and participants (inlcuding those not directly affiliated with OU/NWC partners) to abide by the NWC Protocol (pdf) when operating in the NWC or during any NWC-related event.
There are a limited number of visitor and handicap parking spaces available along the first two rows of the parking lot, closest to the NWC first floor entrance. Signs designate these spaces. The remaining parking spaces at the NWC require a University of Oklahoma-approved parking permit.
Event organizers may work with that NWC Event Coordinator to request special parking accommodations. If you are attending an event at the NWC, check with your event organizer for specific parking options.
No. Smoking or use any tobacco and/or marijuana product is not permitted in any facility or grounds controlled by the University of Oklahoma.
Yes. Food arrangements (including delivery and catering) must be coordinated with the NWC Event Manager prior to the event date.
The tour coordinator will officially confirm your tour once the request is received. You will receive a tour confirmation email with specific tour details (location, parking, regulations, etc.) once your tour is confirmed.
Make sure that you have reviewed the tour descriptions below to select an appropriate tour for which to register your tour party.
