Barometers?

[Curtis]

Ok, I'm probably going to "open my mouth and remove all doubt" about my ignorance on this topic.

I was taught that the absolute reading on a barometer was of minimal importance. That is, the trend is the important thing to watch. Rising = good, falling = bad.

Does the actual, absolute reading really mean that much?

[hellosailor]

Curtis, I think the trend is *usually* more important in that it tells you what changes are coming up. The absolute can tell you other things though, i.e. when it is not only "falling" but "I've never seen it that low" you know you're in for a worse storm than usual.

It is the difference between "where are we?" and "where are we going?" Both good questions, or useless, depending on your point of view.

Usually the warning of what is to come--the trend--is the more valuable information to be gotten from it.

[BC Mike]

A recent issue of Ocean Navigator answers your question.

Michael