Dilbert wrote:
Now, why weather forecasts do not reflect that I don't know either. Right now in Boulder CO (at 5600 feet) the forecast says 29.76in or 1002.1mb which is very nearly sea level pressures! The pilots correct for altitude and temperature (google density altitude). Maybe weather people are doing something similar?
Yes, weather barometers are corrected for altitude. The reason is that the value of barometric pressure as it relates to weather is not the absolute number, but rather to know if it's above or below "normal," as well as which way it's trending. Weather barometers are therefore calibrated with an altitude adjustment so that they all read the same at "normal" pressure as they would at sea level (29.921 inHg). That way, any meteorologist can see the pressure reading from any station and instantly know whether it's above or below normal without having to know the elevation of the reporting station, then calculating what normal should be for that elevation.
"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"