Atmospheric pressure is the atmospheric force exerted on objects that are in the atmosphere which is typically measured in a unit of pressure called a millibar. Atmospheric pressure is a critical indicator of weather which helps predict severe weather and the pressure readings fluctuate as a result of changing weather patterns. Low pressure systems can often indicate major changes in weather, including thunderstorms, tropical storms, and in some cases, tornadoes.
High pressure can on the contrary indicate fair weather and clear skies. Paired with other atmospheric conditions such as wind speed, it can be used to analyze the development and movement of storms. By understanding atmospheric pressure, meteorologists are able to accurately create detailed forecasts to help protect people from dangerous weather. In this article, we will dive deeper into the relationship between atmospheric pressure and the weather to gain a better understanding of how this phenomenon works.
Key Takeaways
1. Atmospheric pressure is primarily driven by the atmosphere’s water vapor content and its temperature. Lower air pressure, or lower atmospheric pressure, is due to cold temperatures and higher air pressure is due to warm temperatures.
2. Atmospheric pressure can have a profound influence on the intensity of localized weather, especially during periods of high pressure. In fact, areas of low pressure often produce bigger storms, including intense thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricane-like storms.
3. High atmospheric pressure is a sign of clear skies, whereas low atmospheric pressure is a sign of increased storm activity. Thus, differences in atmospheric pressure can be used to forecast the severity of a storm.
4. Pressure variations can also be a good indicator of the type of weather that can be expected. For example, low pressure is associated with wetter weather conditions, while high pressure is associated with dry weather.
5. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring climate phenomenon that affects global temperatures and air pressure. During an El Niño, temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are warmer, which can cause a decrease in air pressure. Conversely, a La Niña can cause air pressure to be higher.
What is the Link Between Atmospheric Pressure & Severe Weather?
Atmospheric pressure and severe weather are connected because atmospheric pressure has an effect on the amount of moisture in the air, and attentive moisture affects the severity of storms. This is because air temperature and pressure differences between cold and warm air cause the air to move, creating wind and storms.
What is Atmospheric Pressure?
Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of air molecules pressing on all sides of an object and is measured in hPa (hectopascals) or mb (millibars). It is usually applied to Earth’s atmosphere because of all the air particles pushing on it from all directions. The air pressure affects wind, which is why meteorologists use it to forecast the weather.
How Does Atmospheric Pressure Affect Severe Weather?
As mentioned earlier, atmospheric pressure impacts the amount of moisture in the air. When air has more moisture, it’s heavier, and so the air pressure is higher. This higher air pressure leads to an increase in severe weather, because with more moisture, the air can hold more heat. This heat energy, along with wind, leads to energy transfer in the form of lightning, hail, and strong winds.
The higher the air pressure, the greater the possibility of severe weather. On the other hand, if the pressure is too low, moisture is too low, meaning there will be less energy transfer.
Areas Affected by High Atmospheric Pressure
High atmospheric pressure is often associated with strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes. Areas that are more prone to severe weather due to higher pressure are coastal regions, regions with large bodies of water, and flat terrain with little elevation. This is because when air rising from the ocean meets with cool air from the land, it can produce powerful events.
How to Prepare for Severe Weather Caused By High Atmospheric Pressure
1. Make sure you have an emergency plan in place. Identify an evacuation route and safe place in your home, and decide who would be responsible for taking care of animals or children if an emergency arises.
2. Have a list of items that you need for emergencies such as water, food, flashlights, blankets, and first aid supplies.
3. Keep up to date with the latest severe weather warnings in your area. Monitor your local radio or news outlets, or download a weather app to your phone or tablet.
4. Keep your vehicle stocked with an emergency kit in case of an evacuation. Have items such as jumper cables, non-perishable food, a map, extra blanket and a first-aid kit.
5. Secure loose objects around your home, such as windows, fences, or trees that can be blown away in the wind.
6. Prepare an emergency kit for your home that includes a manual can opener, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries, and a hand-crank radio.
7. Alternate electrical power sources should also be available in case of power outages. Emergency generators and solar panels are a great way to have a steady power supply.
What is atmospheric pressure?
Atmospheric pressure is the weight exerted by the atmosphere, or the mass of air molecules, on the surface of the earth. It is expressed as a unit of measure called a bar. Average atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1013.25 millibars (mb).
What relationship does atmospheric pressure have to climate and the weather?
Atmospheric pressure is an important factor in determining climate and weather patterns. High atmospheric pressure typically indicates fair weather with little or no precipitation. Low atmospheric pressure is usually associated with storm systems and precipitation. Severe weather events, such increased winds and flooding, tend to be associated with low atmospheric pressure.
How is atmospheric pressure measured?
Atmospheric pressure is measured with a barometer. Barometers measure the pressure of a column of air above a given point. A typical barometer is an aneroid barometer, which consists of a sealed metal capsule that expands or contracts as pressure changes.
How does the changing of atmospheric pressure affect the severity of storms?
When a low-pressure system moves in, warm moist air is drawn into the system, resulting in an increase in atmospheric pressure. This typically results in the development of storm systems and severe weather.
What is the link between Arctic blasts and atmospheric pressure?
When a low-pressure system moves into a region, cold air is drawn into the system which creates Arctic blasts. These frigid Arctic blasts are typically associated with low atmospheric pressure.
How does atmospheric pressure affect the water cycle?
Atmospheric pressure plays an important role in the water cycle. Low atmospheric pressure systems are generally associated with increased precipitation and clouds. High atmospheric pressure typically results in clear skies and little or no precipitation.
What is the relationship between air pressure and wind?
Wind is caused by differences in atmospheric pressure. When a low-pressure system moves in, winds will tend to increase as air masses from different locations move across each other.
How can I measure atmospheric pressure at my location?
The simplest way to measure atmospheric pressure at your location is to use an aneroid barometer. These barometers measure atmospheric pressure by measuring the weight of the column of air above your location.
What is the relationship between altitude and atmospheric pressure?
Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude. This is because the air is less dense at higher altitudes. Therefore, it is easier to move air molecules from higher altitudes to lower altitudes, resulting in lower pressure at the higher altitudes.
What is the relationship between geographic latitude and atmospheric pressure?
Geographic latitude plays an important role in determining atmospheric pressure. In general, atmospheric pressure tends to decrease as geographic latitudes increase. This is because the lower density of air at higher latitudes leads to lower atmospheric pressure.
Conclusion
Atmospheric pressure is an important factor in determining climate and weather patterns. Low atmospheric pressure systems tend to be associated with storm systems and severe weather events such as Arctic blasts. Additionally, geographic latitudes play an important role in determining atmospheric pressure. Understanding atmospheric pressure can help us better prepare for and mitigate the effects of severe weather events.
Atmospheric pressure can be easily measured with an aneroid barometer and can give us insight into upcoming weather and climate patterns. Therefore, it is important to understand how atmospheric pressure can be used to predict the weather and prepare for any potential severe weather events.
