M ETEO R O LO GY AN D O CEAN O GR AP H Y

ATM OSPHERIC
PRESSURE
Understand, define and elaborate its concept
What We W i l l
Learn Today
ES S ENTIAL KNOW-HOW

Introduction
Atmospheric Pressure Variations
Relevant Concepts

Course Presentation
Introduction
DEFI NI TI ON OF TER M S
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
- is the weight of the atmosphere
on a surface.
It is the force exerted on a surface
by the air above it as gravity pulls it
to Earth.
It is commonly measured with a barometer. In a
barometer, a column of mercury in a glass tube
rises or falls as the weight of the atmosphere
changes. Meteorologists describe the atmospheric
pressure by how high the mercury rises.
Atmospheric pressure drops as altitude increases.
As the pressure decreases, the amount
of oxygen available to breathe also decreases.
At very high altitudes, atmospheric pressure and
available oxygen get so low that people can
become sick and even die.
Course Presentation
 Atmospheric pressure is an indicator of weather.
When a low-pressure system moves into an area, it
usually leads to cloudiness, wind,
and precipitation. High-pressure systems usually
lead to fair, calm weather.

Course Presentation
Measurement
S YS TEM OF UNI TS

Atmospheric pressure is expressed in

several different systems of units:

millimetres (or inches) of mercury

pounds per square inch (psi)
dynes per square centimetre
millibars (mb)
standard atmospheres
kilopascals

Course Presentation
How does atmospheric
pressure affect sea
level?
S HARE YOU R ID EAS .

Course Presentation
 AIR PRESSURE & SEA LEVEL

EXPLANATI ON :
Air pressure has a direct influence on the sea level. High air pressure exerts a force
on the surroundings and results in water movement. So high air pressure over
a sea area corresponds to low sea level and conversely low air pressure (a
depression) results in higher sea levels.

Course Presentation
AVER AGE P R ES S UR E AT S EA LEVEL

1013.25
M ILLIB ARS
ATM OS P HER I C P R ES S UR E VAR I ATI ONS

In the Pacific region, it normally varies from:

940 mbar to 1060 mbar
Surface Pressure
- is the atmospheric pressure at a location
on Earth's surface ( terrain and oceans). It
is directly proportional to the mass of air
over that location.

Course Presentation
 DISCUSSION
Because gas particles in the air—like
particles of allfluids—are constantly
moving and bumping into things,
they exert pressure.The pressure
exerted by the air in the atmosphere
is greater close to Earth’s surface and
decreases as you go higher above the
surface.

Course Presentation
 LET'S WATCH AVIDEO!
To further understand the concept of atmospheric pressure.

Course Presentation
References
ONLI NE R ES OURCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_pressure
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/fw/prs/def.
rxml
https://www.britannica.com/science/atmospheric-pressure
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/atmos
pheric-pressure/
https://www.ck12.org/physics/atmospheric-
pressure/lesson/Air-Pressure-and-Altitude-MS-PS/
https://www.publish.csiro.au/sp/pdf/SP05002