What is Barometer?

A barometer is a scientific instrument used to measure air pressure. Pressure tendency can
forecast short term changes in the weather. Many measurements of air pressure are used
within surface weather analysis to help find surface troughs, high pressure systems and
frontal boundaries.

Types

1. Mercury Barometer
2. Aneroid Barometer

Mercury Barometer

In the mercury barometer, atmospheric pressure balances a column of mercury, the height of
which can be precisely measured. To increase their accuracy, mercury barometers are often
corrected for ambient temperature and the local value of gravity.

Aneroid Barometer

A non-liquid barometer called the aneroid barometer is widely used in portable instruments
and in aircraft altimeters because of its smaller size and convenience. It contains a flexible-
walled evacuated capsule, the wall of which deflects with changes in atmospheric pressure.

What is a barometer and how does it work?

Is it going to rain today? Is it going to stay fine? And how can you tell? One easy way is to
measure the air pressure. If it's rising and the pressure is high, chances are it'll be a fine day;
if the pressure is falling, it's more likely to be wet, windy, and dull. Instruments that measure
air pressure are called barometers and people have been using them for weather forecasting
and scientific research for hundreds of years.

What causes high and low pressure?

The Earth's atmosphere exerts a pressure on the surface. Pressure is measured in hectoPascals
(hPa), also called millibars. Standard pressure at sea level is defined as 1013hPa, but we can
see large areas of either high or low pressure. These areas are all relative to each other - so
what defines a high will change depending on the area around it.
On a weather chart, lines joining places with equal sea-level pressures are called isobars.
Charts showing isobars are useful because they identify features such as anticyclones (areas
of high pressure) and depressions (areas of low pressure).

Areas of high and low pressure are caused by ascending and descending air. As air warms, it
ascends leading to low pressure at the surface. As air cools, it descends leading to high
pressure at the surface. This is illustrated in the diagram below.

What does it mean when a barometer is rising or falling?

A barometer measures air pressure: A "rising" barometer indicates increasing air pressure; a
"falling" barometer indicates decreasing air pressure.

What is atmospheric pressure in simple words?

The air around you has weight, and it presses against everything it touches. That pressure is
called atmospheric pressure, or air pressure.

How do I read my barometer ?

All barometers should be tapped slightly before taking a reading. While watching the
indicator needle, gently tap the glass and observe which way the needle moves. Your main
concern in reading a barometer is whether the pressure is rising or falling. If the needle does
not move it would mean that the barometer is "holding steady" and similar weather
conditions should continue.

Can I move my barometer ?

Aneroid barometers can be safely moved at any time. Mercury barometers require special
handling. Always tip the mercury barometer about 50 degrees (slowly) or so to get the
mercury to fill the top of the tube. The barometer can now be moved safely.

How do I adjust my aneroid barometer ?

Aneroid barometers have a small screw on the back. With a flat blade screwdriver turn this
screw in either direction slightly while looking at the indicator needle. It should move in one
direction or the other, tap the barometer to see where the needle settles. Continue until proper
pressure reading is obtained. Do not turn the screw counter-clockwise (to the left) too far
since it could come out.

How do I convert millimeters to inches ?

If your barometer scale only displays millimeters, as many did, it can easily be converted.
Simply take the current reading and divide the number by 25.4. This will give you inches of
mercury. To go from inches to millimeters just multiply instead of divide.

Advantages and Disadvantages

An aneroid barometer is a more complex

A mercury barometer is a glassy, open container
barometer with a spring, and a flexible sealed
that measures the air pressure and monitor
chamber. The advantage of an aneroid
changes in air pressure.
barometer is being more portable
An aneroid barometer is not being too precise
The advantage of a mercury barometer is precise
with the data.
An aneroid barometer is a more complex
A disadvantage of a mercury barometer is the
barometer with a spring, and a flexible sealed
danger of the mercury
chamber