What is Atmospheric Pressure?

Essentially, atmospheric pressure is the force exerted at any given point on the Earth’s surface
by the weight of the air above that point.
Air molecules at higher altitudes have fewer molecules pressing down on them from above
and therefore experience lower pressure, while lower molecules have more force or pressure
exerted on them by molecules piled on top of them and are more tightly packed together.
When you go up into the mountains or fly high in an airplane, the air is thinner and the
pressure is lower. The air pressure at sea level at a temperature of 59°F (15°C) is equal to one
atmosphere (Atm), and this is the baseline reading for determining relative pressure.
Atmospheric pressure is also known as barometric pressure because it is measured using a
barometer. A rising barometer indicates increasing atmospheric pressure and a falling barometer
indicates decreasing atmospheric pressure.
I bar = 760 mmHg = 760 torr
What Causes Changes in Atmospheric Pressure?
Changes in air pressure are caused by differences in air temperature above the earth, and the
temperature of an air mass is determined by its location. For example, air masses above oceans
are typically cooler than air masses above continents. Air temperature differences create wind
and cause pressure systems to develop. The wind moves pressure systems and these systems
tend to change as they pass over mountains, oceans, and other areas.
17th-century French scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) discovered that air
pressure decreases with height and that pressure-changes at ground level can be attributed to the
daily weather. These discoveries are used to predict the weather today.

Often, weather forecasters refer to high- or low-pressure areas moving toward particular
regions in order to describe predicted conditions for those areas. As air rises in low-pressure
systems, it cools and often condenses into clouds and precipitation, resulting in storms. In high-
pressure systems, the air sinks toward the Earth and warms upward, leading to dry and fair
weather.
How Pressure Changes Affect the Weather
In general, a mercury barometer can let you know if your immediate future will see clearing or
stormy skies, or little change at all, based only on atmospheric pressure.

Here are a few examples of how to interpret barometric readings:

When the air is dry, cool, and pleasant, the barometer reading rises.
In general, a rising barometer means improving weather.
In general, a falling barometer means worsening weather.
When atmospheric pressure drops suddenly, this usually indicates that a storm is on its way.
When atmospheric pressure remains steady, there will likely be no immediate change in the
weather.

How Do You Measure Atmospheric Pressure with a Barometer?

Reading a barometer is simple if you know what different atmospheric pressure values indicate.
To understand your barometer and how atmospheric pressure is changing, interpret readings as
follows (pay attention to units).

 High Pressure
A barometric reading over 30.20 inHg, (102268.9 Pa or 1022.689 mb) is generally considered
high, and high pressure is associated with clear skies and calm weather.
 Normal Pressure
A barometric reading in the range of 29.80 and 30.20 inHg, (100914.4–102268.9 Pa or
1022.689–1009.144 mb) can be considered normal, and normal pressure is associated with
steady weather.
 Low Pressure
A barometric reading below 29.80 inHg, (100914.4 Pa or 1009.144 mb) is generally
considered low, and low pressure is associated with warm air and rainstorms.