What Is Air Pressure?

By definition, atmospheric or air pressure is the force per unit of area exerted on the Earth’s
surface by the weight of the air above the surface. The force exerted by an air mass is created
by the molecules that make it up and their size, motion, and number present in the air. These
factors are important because they determine the temperature and density of the air and, thus,
its pressure.

The number of air molecules above a surface determines air pressure. As the number of
molecules increases, they exert more pressure on a surface, and the total atmospheric pressure
increases. By contrast, if the number of molecules decreases, so too does the air pressure.

How Do You Measure It?

Air pressure is measured with mercury or aneroid barometers. Mercury barometers measure
the height of a mercury column in a vertical glass tube. As air pressure changes, the height of
the mercury column does as well, much like a thermometer. Meteorologists measure air
pressure in units called atmospheres (atm). One atmosphere is equal to 1,013 millibars (MB)
at sea level, which translates into 760 millimeters of quicksilver when measured on a mercury
barometer.

An aneroid barometer uses a coil of tubing, with most of the air removed. The coil then bends
inward when pressure rises and bows out when pressure drops. Aneroid barometers use the
same units of measurement and produce the same readings as mercury barometers, but they
don't contain any of the element.

Air pressure is not uniform across the planet, however. The normal range of the Earth's air
pressure is from 970 MB to 1,050 MB.1 These differences are the result of low and high air
pressure systems, which are caused by unequal heating across the Earth's surface and
the pressure gradient force.

The highest barometric pressure on record was 1,083.8 MB (adjusted to sea level), measured
in Agata, Siberia, on December 31, 1968.2 The lowest pressure ever measured was 870 MB,
recorded as Typhoon Tip struck the western Pacific Ocean on October 12, 1979.2

Low-Pressure Systems
A low-pressure system, also called a depression, is an area where the atmospheric pressure is
lower than that of the area surrounding it. Lows are usually associated with high winds, warm
air, and atmospheric lifting. Under these conditions, lows normally produce clouds,
precipitation, and other turbulent weather, such as tropical storms and cyclones.

Areas prone to low pressure do not have extreme diurnal (day versus night) nor extreme
seasonal temperatures because the clouds present over such areas reflect incoming solar
radiation back into the atmosphere. As a result, they cannot warm as much during the day (or
in the summer), and at night, they act as a blanket, trapping heat below.

High-Pressure Systems
A high-pressure system, sometimes called an anticyclone, is an area where the atmospheric
pressure is greater than that of the surrounding area. These systems move clockwise in the
Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis
Effect.

High-pressure areas are normally caused by a phenomenon called subsidence, meaning that
as the air in the highs cools, it becomes denser and moves toward the ground. Pressure
increases here because more air fills the space left from the low. Subsidence also evaporates
most of the atmosphere's water vapor, so high-pressure systems are usually associated with
clear skies and calm weather.

Unlike areas of low pressure, the absence of clouds means that areas prone to high-pressure
experience extremes in diurnal and seasonal temperatures since there are no clouds to block
incoming solar radiation or trap outgoing longwave radiation at night.

Atmospheric Regions
Across the globe, there are several regions where the air pressure is remarkably consistent.
This can result in extremely predictable weather patterns in regions like the tropics or the
poles.

 Equatorial low-pressure trough: This area is in the Earth's equatorial region (0 to 10

degrees north and south) and is composed of warm, light, ascending, and converging
air.3 Because the converging air is wet and full of excess energy, it expands and cools
as it rises, creating the clouds and heavy rainfall that are prominent throughout the
area. This low-pressure zone trough also forms the Inter-Tropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ) and trade winds.
 Subtropical high-pressure cells: Located at 30 degrees north/south,3 this is a zone
of hot, dry air that forms as the warm air descending from the tropics becomes hotter.
Because hot air can hold more water vapor, it is relatively dry. The heavy rain along
the equator also removes most of the excess moisture. The dominant winds in the
subtropical high are called westerlies.
 Subpolar low-pressure cells: This area is at 60 degrees north/south latitude and
features cool, wet weather.3 The Subpolar low is caused by the meeting of cold air
masses from higher latitudes and warmer air masses from lower latitudes. In the
northern hemisphere, their meeting forms the polar front, which produces the low-
pressure cyclonic storms responsible for precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and
much of Europe. In the southern hemisphere, severe storms develop along these fronts
and cause high winds and snowfall in Antarctica.
 Polar high-pressure cells: These are located at 90 degrees north/south and are
extremely cold and dry.3 With these systems, winds move away from the poles in an
anticyclone, which descends and diverges to form the polar easterlies. They are weak,
however, because little energy is available in the poles to make the systems strong.
The Antarctic high is stronger, though, because it is able to form over the cold
landmass instead of the warmer sea.

By studying these highs and lows, scientists are better able to understand the Earth's
circulation patterns and predict the weather for use in daily life, navigation, shipping, and
other important activities, making air pressure an important component to meteorology and
other atmospheric science.