The Atmospheric Pressure, Essay Example

Atmospheric Pressure as an Indicator of Current and Changing Weather Conditions

Introduction

As usual, the warmth of the sun changes throughout the globe. For the reason of uneven solar heating, temperatures change throughout the whole earth. The air around the poles is colder than the air at the equator.  Warm, light air originating from the equator moves in the direction of the poles and the relatively colder, bulkier air spreads towards the equator (Holton &Hakim, 2013). At the same time, rotation of the earth creates a distorted wind pattern, a phenomenon that helps predict weather pattern. The purpose of this essay is to prove that air pressure is an indicator of present and future atmospheric conditions.

Relationship between Atmospheric Pressure and Weather Conditions

High-pressure systems have a high density and great force. Low-pressure systems have less density and exert less pressure (Stull, 2000). Cold air holds a reduced amount of water vapor as compared to warm air. Cooling air forms clouds and precipitation.

Therefore by ever-increasing the air pressure, atmospheric temperature also increases (Holton &Hakim, 2013).  Beneath high-pressure regions, the air has a penchant to subside towards lower regions where temperatures are higher and can accommodate extra water vapor.  In this region, droplets are supposed form clouds evaporate. The outcome is a clear and dry environment.

On the other hand, if we reduce the air pressure, we observe that the air rises towards the elevated regions where temperatures. As the space to contain water vapor reduces, the water vapor quickly condenses and clouds will grow (Stull, 2000). Ultimately, we will see precipitation falling.

Air pressure is measured by a barometer. We can improve weather forecast by combining barometric records with wind measurements. As explained earlier, air circulates from left to right or in a clockwise fashion around high-pressure systems (Holton &Hakim, 2013).  Conversely, air circulates from left to right aroundlow pressure systems

Conclusion

The wind pattern is affected to the extent that air twists to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left of the southern hemisphere. This knowledge, plus the ability to measure air pressure using a barometer, accurately describes present weather conditions and helps predict changing future weather conditions.

References

Holton, J. R., & Hakim, G. J. (2013). An introduction to dynamic meteorology. Academic press.

Stull, R. B. (2000). Meteorology for scientists and engineers: a technical companion book with Ahrens’ Meteorology Today. Brooks/Cole.