Pressure

weather map

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Atmospheric pressure is the weight of all of the air above the height of an observation. The changes in atmospheric pressure are a commonly used way to forecast short-term changes in weather. A rule of thumb to remember when observing atmospheric pressure is:

  • High Pressure - stable conditions, sinking air with cloudless skies and fair weather.
  • Low Pressure - unstable conditions and rising air, that can produce clouds and precipitation.