Why does barometer predict weather?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Low pressure brings storms
Measures temperature changes — Wrong. Barometer measures atmospheric pressure, not temperature. Pressure changes indicate approaching weather systems—low pressure = storms.
Low pressure brings storms ✓ — Correct! Rising pressure means a high-pressure system is coming (clear weather). Falling pressure means low pressure approaching (clouds, rain, storms). A rapid drop warns of severe weather. In low-pressure areas, air rises and cools, causing condensation and rain. In high pressure, air sinks and warms, clearing skies. Sailors have long used barometers—'glass falling' means storms ahead!
Barometer detects wind speed — Wrong. Barometer measures air pressure, not wind speed (anemometer does that). Pressure changes indicate weather systems—low pressure = storms approaching.
More Weather & Climate questions
- Why can a small shift toward larger hail raise damage so much?
- Why model hailstone trajectories, not just thunderstorm counts?
- Why do tropical hailstorms produce smaller hail than mid-latitude ones?
- Hail has clear and cloudy bands. Why not just 'up-down elevator rides'?
- Why is the coldest storm top not the best place for hail to grow?
- Why do supercells make 5-cm hail when ordinary storms usually cannot?
