Atmospheric pressure measured by a barometer. Standard sea-level pressure is 1013.25 hPa.
measurementWhat is Barometric Pressure?
Barometric pressure (also called air pressure or atmospheric pressure) is the force exerted by the weight of air above a point. It decreases with altitude. In weather forecasting, changes in barometric pressure are important indicators: rapidly falling pressure signals approaching storms, while rising pressure indicates clearing weather. In tropical Southeast Asia, pressure variations are smaller than in temperate regions.
Key points
- Atmospheric pressure measured by a barometer. Standard sea-level pressure is 1013.25 hPa.
- Category: measurement
Related terms
See also: barometric-pressure is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.