What does it mean if the barometer pressure is dropping?

Answer 1

The atmospheric pressure is dropping which causes a front... usually with a storm... to come in.

Think of it this way... if the pressure is lower in an area... and there is a high pressure somewhere else... it naturally wants to balance things out.. therefore the front moves toward the lower pressure area.

Here is an article I found on it:

"Air blows from regions of high atmosphere pressure ("highs" or anticyclones) to regions of low atmospheric pressure. In a high-pressure system, air pressure is greater than the surrounding areas. This difference in air pressure results in wind, or moving air. In a high-pressure area, air is denser than in areas of lower pressure. The result is that air will move from the high-pressure area to an area of lower density, or lower pressure. Conversely, winds tend to blow into low-pressure areas because air moves from areas of higher pressure into areas of lower pressure. As winds blow into a low, the air can be uplifted. This uplift of air can lead to the development of a depression with clouds and rain.

Air moving from high to low pressure does not however, follow a straight-line path. In fact, the air moving from high to low pressure follows a spiralling route due to the rotation of the Earth beneath the moving air, which causes an apparent deflection of the wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere."

Answer 2

A barometer is a device that measures atmospheric pressure. And, if the atmospheric pressure drops, the pressure indication on the barometer is reduced (it falls). Original barometers were made with a tube of glass filled with mercury (the liquid metal) that opened up to a small basin at the bottom. The surface of the mercury in the basin is exposed to the atmosphere. The weight of the mercury in the tube causes a vacuum of air in the tube as it settles out. This gives a certain level of mercury near the top of the tube in inches. When the atmospheric pressure increases, the pressure on the surface of the mercury in the basin increases. This pushes the mercury into the tube and the level rises. When the atmospheric pressure drops, the level falls. That's where we get the term "falling" barometer. Barometers can also be dial type devices or even electronic detectors with a digital readout. But, we still say that a reduction in air pressure causes a barometer to fall.

Answer 3

Low pressure area (which brings the barometric pressure down) is commonly associated with bad weather, while high pressure area is associated with plenty of sunlight or good weather. On the land or on the sea surface, after getting too much heat from the sunlight, water evaporation becomes consequently more intense and a formation of a localized low pressure area can be expected.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Low Pressure systems rotate Counter-clockwise & High Pressure rotates Clockwise

Low Pressure & High Pressure systems are constantly chasing each other through our atmosphere. They are both needed to balance each other out. The times when the barometric pressure is "steady" are when the area you are in is within this area of balance. It normally does not last very long, but in the Western United States, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, & Utah see this phenomenon more than the other states due to stalled pressure systems.

Answer 4

Traditionally (on a barometer with like "Rain", "Fair", "Storm", etc) it means the weather will get worse. And that could be true. It really means that the air pressure is getting lighter (weightwise), which means that warm air is moving in. And warm air is usually humid (unless you live in like a really desert far from an ocean). And warm humid air brings clouds. And clouds bring rain. And rain brings...
Another alternative meaning: If you are using absolute pressure and not taking altitude into account, it means you are going higher up, where the air is less dense.

Answer 5

It just means that the atmospheric pressure is dropping. The lower pressure sometimes draws in storms systems around the area, but not always. An increase in wind might occur.

Answer 6

It means that a storm is on the way. A high pressure means the weather is clear and sunny.

Answer 7

I have no idea, but my weather man loves to mention the barometer at every newscast. Must be important?

Answer 8

It means the barometric pressure in the atmosphere is dropping, and that's probably indication of a storm heading in.

Answer 9

This is just a stab at it but I think it means that the air pressure outside is getting lower due to less moistier in the air. So it drops as the air drys out. Thats really just an educated guess.

Answer 10

it means that the overall pressure in the air is getting lower and that usually indicates that it will rain soon. yay rain!