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The Atmosphere

Air and Air Pressure

Does air pressure change as elevation rises above sea level?

Yes, it does. The higher you go, the less air (or atmospheric) pressure there is. Air pressure is also involved in weather systems. Closer to the ground, air pressure decreases at a rate of about 0.01 inches of mercury for every 10 feet (3 meters). By the time you are at an elevation of 18,000 feet (5,500 meters), air pressure is about half what it is at sea level. A low-pressure system is more likely to bring rain and bad weather versus a high-pressure system, which is usually drier.



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