Along with the air temperature and wind speed, the atmospheric pressure is a key measurement used by meteorologists for forecasting the weather. Because the instrument used to make this measurement is a barometer, the reading is also called barometric pressure. Changes in barometric pressure result from changing conditions in our atmosphere. Changes in the atmosphere are what causes changes in the weather, so tracking the barometric pressure helps scientists predict local weather. Meteorologists use a mathematical formula to correct atmospheric pressure measured at high altitude to a standard value, which is what it would be at sea level. If they did not make this calculation, they could not compare pressures between two places at different elevations. When combined with other measurements, changing barometric pressure is a key to helping meteorologists predict the weather. Writer Bio
