Other metrics can give you a better idea of how the weather will actually feel.
Barometric pressure—or “air pressure”—is one of them.
The current temperature is not always a great indicator of how it really feels outside.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
What Is Barometric Pressure?
The air around us has weight to it, but that weight varies depending on a variety of factors.
Atmospheric pressure is usually measured with a barometer—hence the name “barometric pressure.”
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The pressure is then described by how high the mercury rises.
The biggest factor that affects air pressure is altitude.
The higher above sea level you get, the lower air pressure becomes.
NOAA
And as that pressure drops, so does the amount of oxygen in the air.
That’s why it’s harder to breathe at the top of very tall mountains.
Air Pressure and Weather
What does air pressure have to do with weather?
Apple Weather
Air pressure can tell uswhat kind of weather is coming.
You’ve probably heard terms like “low pressure system” and “high pressure system.”
The “pressure” part of those terms is a reference to barometric pressure.
The Weather Channel
Related:Where Do Weather Apps Get Their Info From?
On the other side of the coin, you have “high pressure systems.”
These are brought on by cool temperatures, and it usually means sunny, clear weather.
There are a number of different units used to denote air pressure.
Two of the most common are “inches of Mercury” (inHg) and “Millibars.”
Many weather apps allow you to choose the unit you’d like to use for pressure.
The cool thing about air pressure is it’s possible for you to use it to predict the weather.
Once you knowhow to read a barometer, you could easily know what bang out of weather to expect.
Rising and steady pressure in this range means the fair weather will continue.
Rapidly dropping pressure in this range means cloudy and warmer weather.
Normal Pressure
The “normal” pressure reading is around 29.80 to 30.20 inHg.
This range is typically associated with steady, consistent weather.
Rapidly dropping pressure in this range means rain or snow is likely.
Low Pressure
A reading below 29.80 inHg is considered low pressure.
Rising and steady pressure in this range means cooler, clear weather is coming.
Slowly falling pressure in this range usually means rain.
Rapidly dropping pressure below 29.80 inHg indicates a storm is coming.
Remember, air pressure measures the weight of the air, and that air is all around us.
Air pressure changes have been shown to play a part in triggering migraines.
Usually, those pockets of air are at equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure.
That shift is a migraine trigger."
When the change of pressure comes with lightning, it’s even more likely to trigger migraines.
People who say they can “feel weather changes” are most likely referring to air pressure changes.
Air Pressure in Weather Apps
The majority of weather apps include an air pressure reading.
ManyiPhone weather appsinclude pressure.
Google’s lackluster weather web applists the weather, but it’s a rounded number.
Air pressure isn’t generally something that updates frequently in a weather app.
You only need to check once or twice a day to keep an eye on fluctuations.
Now you’re the meteorologist!
Related:Forget Humidity, Dew Point Is How It Really Feels Outside
