--- title: "Barometric Pressure Sensors & Monitoring | Aethair" description: "Barometric (or atmospheric) pressure is the weight of the column of air above a given point, reported in hectopascals (hPa, numerically equal to the older…" url: https://aethair.io/parameters/pressure/ --- Measurements · Meteorology # Barometric Pressure Also known as atmospheric pressure, air pressure, absolute air pressure Barometric / atmospheric pressure. [Schedule a call](https://calendly.com/d/ctdd-mkr-v9v/aethair-demo-website) [Configure Barometric Pressure Monitoring](https://aethair.io/build/?params=pressure) At a glance hPa Meteorology 3 ways to measure it - **Aethair PRO** Built-in sensor - **Aethair IAQ** Built-in sensor - **Thiamis** 12 external instruments What it is ## What is barometric pressure? Barometric (or atmospheric) pressure is the weight of the column of air above a given point, reported in hectopascals (hPa, numerically equal to the older millibar). At sea level it averages around 1013 hPa, but it varies continuously as weather systems move: high-pressure systems bring settled, dry conditions, while falling pressure signals approaching low-pressure systems, wind, and precipitation. Pressure also falls predictably with altitude, which is why the same instrument doubles as an altimeter once the local sea-level pressure is known. It is one of the oldest quantitative weather measurements and remains fundamental to forecasting. ### Health and operational effects Rapid pressure changes accompany the weather that most affects operations (storms, fronts, and wind), so the barometric trend is a leading indicator for outdoor work, aviation, marine activity, and any weather-sensitive process. Some people report headaches or joint pain with pressure swings, and large or rapid changes can affect those with certain cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, though the effects are individual and modest compared with temperature and air quality. Operationally, pressure is indispensable context. It is needed to convert gas concentrations and airflow to standard conditions, to compute altitude and density altitude, and to normalize other meteorological readings. A steadily falling barometer is a practical early warning of deteriorating conditions, which is why it has guided sailors and farmers for centuries. How it is measured ## How Barometric Pressure Is Measured Modern instruments use a **MEMS piezoresistive or capacitive pressure sensor**: a tiny silicon diaphragm flexes under atmospheric pressure, and the resulting change in resistance or capacitance is measured and digitized. These sensors are small, low-power, stable, and accurate enough for both weather monitoring and altitude estimation, which is why they are built into phones, drones, and environmental monitors alike. For reference meteorology, higher-grade digital barometers with tighter calibration are used. Readings are usually reported both as station pressure (the raw value at the instrument) and as pressure reduced to mean sea level, so that stations at different altitudes can be compared on the same synoptic chart. Built into Aethair PRO and Aethair IAQ 2 Measured by the monitor's own sensors, calibrated before it ships: nothing to add. An instrument on Thiamis 12 A third-party instrument connected to a Thiamis gateway, reporting into the same Environet account. ### Placing barometric pressure sensors Barometric pressure is effectively uniform over a small area, so placement is forgiving: the sensor does not need outdoor exposure and can sit inside an enclosure. What matters is avoiding artificial pressure artifacts: keep the sensor clear of direct HVAC supply air, sealed pressurized or depressurized rooms, and the wind gusts and door slams that cause momentary spikes. For altitude work, the sensor's own elevation must be known and held constant, since any change in height changes the reading directly. ### Every device and option that measures Barometric Pressure 14 | Device / option | Type | Base platform | Measures | | - | - | - | - | | **Aethair PRO built-in sensors** | Built-in sensors | Aethair PRO | Barometric Pressure [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Heat Index](https://aethair.io/parameters/heat_index/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Illuminance / Light](https://aethair.io/parameters/light/) [Particle Count (by size)](https://aethair.io/parameters/particle_count/) [PM1](https://aethair.io/parameters/pm1/) | | **Aethair IAQ built-in sensors** | Built-in sensors | Aethair IAQ | Barometric Pressure [Formaldehyde (CH₂O)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ch2o/) [Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)](https://aethair.io/parameters/co2/) [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Heat Index](https://aethair.io/parameters/heat_index/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Particle Count (by size)](https://aethair.io/parameters/particle_count/) | | [Airmar](https://aethair.io/sensors/airmar-weather-stations/) · 110WX, 110WXS, 120WX… | Weather Stations | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Absolute Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/absolute_humidity/) [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Heat Index](https://aethair.io/parameters/heat_index/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Precipitation Intensity](https://aethair.io/parameters/precip_intensity/) [Precipitation](https://aethair.io/parameters/precipitation/) | | [Thermo Scientific](https://aethair.io/sensors/thermo-scientific-particulate-dust-monitors/) · pDR-1500, ADR-1500 | Particulate & Dust Monitors | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Total PM / Mass Conc.](https://aethair.io/parameters/pm_total/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) | | [Davis](https://aethair.io/sensors/davis-weather-stations/) · Davis Wizard III, Davis Wizard II, Davis Monitor… | Weather Stations | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Heat Index](https://aethair.io/parameters/heat_index/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Leaf Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/leaf_temperature/) [Leaf Wetness](https://aethair.io/parameters/leaf_wetness/) [Precipitation Intensity](https://aethair.io/parameters/precip_intensity/) | | [In-Situ](https://aethair.io/sensors/in-situ-water-quality-sondes/) · Level TROLL 300, Level TROLL 400, Level TROLL 500… | Water Quality Sondes | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Dissolved Ammonia (NH₃)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ammonia/) [Ammonium (NH₄)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ammonium/) [Blue-Green Algae](https://aethair.io/parameters/bga/) [Chloride](https://aethair.io/parameters/chloride/) [Chlorophyll](https://aethair.io/parameters/chlorophyll/) [Conductivity](https://aethair.io/parameters/conductivity/) | | [Lufft](https://aethair.io/sensors/lufft-weather-stations/) · WS100, WS200, WS300… | Weather Stations | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Precipitation Intensity](https://aethair.io/parameters/precip_intensity/) [Precipitation](https://aethair.io/parameters/precipitation/) [Solar / Global Radiation](https://aethair.io/parameters/solar_radiation/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) | | [Eureka Water Probes](https://aethair.io/sensors/eureka-water-probes-water-quality-sondes/) · Manta+ 20, Manta+ 25, Manta+ 30… | Water Quality Sondes | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Dissolved Ammonia (NH₃)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ammonia/) [Ammonium (NH₄)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ammonium/) [Chloride](https://aethair.io/parameters/chloride/) [Chlorophyll](https://aethair.io/parameters/chlorophyll/) [Dissolved CO₂](https://aethair.io/parameters/dissolved_co2/) [Dissolved Oxygen](https://aethair.io/parameters/do/) | | [Gill Instruments](https://aethair.io/sensors/gill-instruments-weather-stations/) · MaxiMet-GMX100, MaxiMet-GMX200, MaxiMet-GMX240… | Weather Stations | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Solar / Global Radiation](https://aethair.io/parameters/solar_radiation/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) [Wind Direction](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_direction/) [Wind Speed](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_speed/) | | [Particles Plus](https://aethair.io/sensors/particles-plus-particulate-dust-monitors/) · Particles Plus 5301, Particles Plus 5301-AQM1, Particles Plus 5301-AQM2… | Particulate & Dust Monitors | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)](https://aethair.io/parameters/co2/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Particle Count (by size)](https://aethair.io/parameters/particle_count/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) [VOC (Total)](https://aethair.io/parameters/voc/) | | [Thermo Scientific](https://aethair.io/sensors/thermo-scientific-particulate-dust-monitors/) · Partisol 2025i, Partisol 2025i-D, Partisol 2000i… | Particulate & Dust Monitors | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Sample Flow](https://aethair.io/parameters/sample_flow/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) [Wind Direction](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_direction/) [Wind Speed](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_speed/) | | [2B Technologies](https://aethair.io/sensors/2b-technologies-specialty-air-analyzers/) · POM | Specialty Air Analyzers | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Ozone (O₃)](https://aethair.io/parameters/o3/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) | | [R.M. Young](https://aethair.io/sensors/r-m-young-weather-stations/) · 93000, 93500, 92000… | Weather Stations | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) [Wind Direction](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_direction/) [Wind Speed](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_speed/) | | [Spectra Scientific](https://aethair.io/sensors/spectra-scientific-water-quality-sondes/) · Spectra Litmus 6, Spectra Litmus 4 | Water Quality Sondes | Thiamis | Barometric Pressure [Dissolved Ammonia (NH₃)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ammonia/) [Ammonium (NH₄)](https://aethair.io/parameters/ammonium/) [Blue-Green Algae](https://aethair.io/parameters/bga/) [Chloride](https://aethair.io/parameters/chloride/) [Chlorophyll](https://aethair.io/parameters/chlorophyll/) [Conductivity](https://aethair.io/parameters/conductivity/) | [Configure Barometric Pressure Monitoring](https://aethair.io/build/?params=pressure) Where it is monitored ## Solutions That Monitor Barometric Pressure Each one links to the solution page showing what that industry measures it for. ### [Weather Stations & Meteorology](https://aethair.io/solutions/weather/#measure-pressure) Core parameter Barometric pressure is one of the oldest and most useful weather measurements, since falling pressure signals approaching storms and pressure patterns drive the wind. ### [Healthcare Air Monitoring](https://aethair.io/solutions/healthcare/) Often added Clinical air quality, pressurization, and patient safety ### [HVAC & Building Management](https://aethair.io/solutions/hvac-building/) Often added Monitor ventilation and filtration, with data for your BMS ### [Hydrology, Level & Flow](https://aethair.io/solutions/hydrology/) Often added Flood warning, stream gauging, and groundwater ### [Indoor Air Quality](https://aethair.io/solutions/iaq-monitoring/) Often added Offices, schools, homes, and public buildings ### [School Air Monitoring](https://aethair.io/solutions/education/) Often added Classroom CO₂, particulates, and campus IAQ Article Library ## Reading on Barometric Pressure ### [Commercial Building IAQ Monitoring: ASHRAE 62.1 & WELL](https://aethair.io/resources/indoor-air-quality-monitoring-commercial-buildings/) Indoor air quality monitoring for commercial buildings: what to measure, which standards apply, and how property managers build a program tenants trust. ### [Wildfire Smoke Air Quality Monitoring: Detection & Response](https://aethair.io/resources/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-monitoring/) Wildfire smoke monitoring for EHS and public health teams: real-time PM2.5, the AQI 151 respirator trigger, and how to alert workers before smoke arrives. ### [Ambient Air Quality Monitoring: What Nonattainment Changes](https://aethair.io/resources/ambient-air-quality-monitoring/) Ambient air quality monitoring explained: how PM2.5 attainment is measured, what a nonattainment designation triggers, and what site-level monitoring adds. ### [Aethair IAQ vs Kaiterra Sensedge Mini: IAQ Monitors Compared](https://aethair.io/resources/aethair-iaq-vs-kaiterra-sensedge-mini/) Aethair IAQ vs Kaiterra Sensedge Mini compared on connectivity, sensors, accuracy, and platform, and how to choose the right commercial IAQ monitor. ### [How to Choose an Air Quality Monitor: PRO, IAQ, or Thiamis](https://aethair.io/resources/choosing-aethair-monitoring-device/) Compare Aethair PRO, IAQ, and Thiamis to match the right device to your site, from commercial interiors to industrial and fenceline monitoring. ### [What Is Environmental Intelligence? Definition & Use Cases](https://aethair.io/resources/what-is-environmental-intelligence/) Environmental intelligence turns real-world environmental data into decisions you can act on and defend. Learn how platforms combine monitoring and AI. [All articles](https://aethair.io/resources/) Related ## More in Meteorology [Air Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/temperature/) [Relative Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/humidity/) [Wind Speed](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_speed/) [Wind Direction](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_direction/) [Dew Point](https://aethair.io/parameters/dew_point/) [Wind Chill](https://aethair.io/parameters/wind_chill/) [Precipitation](https://aethair.io/parameters/precipitation/) [Precipitation Intensity](https://aethair.io/parameters/precip_intensity/) [Heat Index](https://aethair.io/parameters/heat_index/) [Wet Bulb Temperature](https://aethair.io/parameters/wet_bulb/) [Absolute Humidity](https://aethair.io/parameters/absolute_humidity/) [WBGT (Heat Stress)](https://aethair.io/parameters/wbgt/) Questions ## Barometric Pressure FAQ What is normal barometric pressure? At sea level it averages about 1013 hPa, with everyday variation of roughly plus or minus a few tens of hPa as weather systems pass. Because the value shifts with both weather and altitude, the reference figures on this page are read as a typical range rather than a fixed target. Why does barometric pressure predict the weather? Pressure maps out the weather systems themselves: high pressure is associated with descending, settling air and fair conditions, while low pressure draws in rising, converging air that produces cloud, wind, and rain. A falling barometer therefore signals an approaching low and worsening weather, and a rising one signals improvement. What is the difference between station and sea-level pressure? Station pressure is the raw value measured at the instrument's actual altitude; sea-level pressure is that value mathematically reduced to what it would be at sea level, using the station height and temperature. The reduction lets stations at different elevations be compared, so always check which one a reading represents before interpreting it. How do I monitor barometric pressure? Aethair PRO and Aethair IAQ include a built-in barometric pressure sensor, providing the reference needed to normalize their other readings and to derive altitude. Use the configurator to combine pressure with temperature, humidity, and, for full outdoor weather, an external weather station connected through Thiamis.