They keep saying that Sandy is bringing in the lowest pressure in years. Why is this important?

[newme]

@Xema

Another issue related to low pressure is the “storm surge”. Storm-related winds can produce flooding by driving water on shore. When the atmospheric pressure is low, the level of the ocean rises a bit and that leads to increased flooding in coastal areas.

Standard pressure is 1013 mb = 406.7 inches of water.
Sandy’s pressure is 943 mb = 378.6 inches of water.

So the ocean level should rise 28.1 inches just from the pressure drop?

[Dogzilla]

@Xema

Do you also get a headache when driving up a hill? The standard pressure at just 3000’ MSL is around 908 mb, which is worse than a severe hurricane.

I don’t know what MSL is, but I think you’re talking about 3000 feet elevation.

I live at about 80 feet above sea level. The highest point in my state is about 300 feet.

So no, I don’t get a headache when driving up a hill.

I did have headaches every day when I visited Montana.

[scr4]

I think describing a mountain by its height is a good analogy. A tall mountain means either a very steep climb, or a very long but moderate climb, or a combination of both. Similarly, a storm with a very low pressure means very strong winds, large size or a bit of both.

[TruCelt]

Aha! I was so achey last night I thought the flu was coming on. I hadn’t thought about the atmospheric pressure, and feel just fine this morning.

Thanks y’all!

[Cheshire_Human]

@Dogzilla

I don’t know what MSL is,…

Mean Sea Level. It’s pilot talk. The other ‘altitude’ term they use is AGL = Above Ground Level. MSL tells you how your aircraft performs, because that determines air pressure. AGL tells you something even more important. There’s a mountain in your way.

[Cheshire_Human]

@Cheshire_Human

MSL tells you how your aircraft performs, because that determines air pressure.. WRONG!!!

Is determined by!!!

Shoot the idiots. Starting with me…

[lazybratsche]

@Lord_Mondegreen

I don’t get these “low air pressure = headache” statements either. How would anyone cope with flying if this were the case? Aircraft are generally pressurized to the equivalent of around 7000’. I don’t see people writhing in the aisles on a normal flight.

One time I flew with a nasty sinus infection – my entire head was plugged up even after taking sudafed for a few days. I was in a window seat, writhing against the side of the plain, otherwise I might have been in the fetal position in the aisles. It was the worst pain I can remember experiencing (though I haven’t had many injuries or otherwise painful experiences). By point of comparison, the headache was much worse than the migraines I occasionally get, or the case of shingles I had a few years ago.

So I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a milder degree of sinus blockage that results in pressure equalization that’s too slow to keep up with the changes that occur while flying or driving up a mountain.

[Ouizee]

Could a guy make a pressure vessel to hang out in during a storm that offers a slightly greater pressure than outside

[Xema]

Sure - here’s a portable version: the Gamow Bag.

[Derleth]

That, or install a one-way valve in the forehead so the frontal sinus has a way to communicate with the outside air.

You’d always know when a big storm was coming whenever your forehead valve popped open for a bit.

(In the real world this would be an unacceptable infection risk, but these are the things I think about.)