Air Pressure Sensor Installation

In order to obtain accurate barometric pressure measurements, a barometer needs to be both stable and calibrated against a known reference atmospheric pressure source, i.e. one that is professionally maintained. Without calibration, air pressure measurements from home weather stations have little value other than in identifying pressure trends.

Most weather stations house their barometric pressure sensor within the weather station display console. Therefore, placement of the weather station console receiver is an important consideration since the physical environment of the console will influence air pressure measurement readings. If possible, install the console at an indoor location where the temperature is as constant as practical, i.e. not affected by home heating, drafts, or the sun.

Station elevation, or the height of your location above sea level, is also a factor influencing barometric pressure measurements. Since all barometric pressure measurements are referenced to sea level pressure, the effect of the higher elevation needs to be removed so that readings are comparable, whether they're taken on top of a mountain or at the seashore. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines this standard as: "A pressure value obtained by the theoretical reduction of barometric pressure to sea level. Where the Earth's surface is above sea level, it is assumed that the atmosphere extends to sea level below the station and that the properties of that hypothetical atmosphere are related to conditions observed at the station."