Why is pressure important

This is arguably the most important pressure level for determining weather patterns because it is the middle of the atmosphere, halfway between 0 and millibars. The National Weather Service says if meteorologists could look at just one chart, this would be the top choice.

Once again, the millibar level is not fixed—it varies based on the temperature at a given location, so the height of that surface will fall with cooler air and will rise with warmer air. The millibar pressure level varies generally from about 17, to 19, feet.

Meteorologists use this level to determine where troughs lows and ridges highs are forming, which tells us about temperature—troughs lead to cooling and ridges leading to warming. You can do this analysis yourself with the following image by looking at the numbers on the constant height lines.

Persistent ridges can be found at times over the United States, especially during the summer. This pattern is ongoing with dominant high pressure taking up real estate over the Southern Plains and edging back towards the four corners region. This is a frequent pattern because warm air from the equator moves northward in the summer, displacing the polar jetstream to the north.

Drag and drop the pressure gauge to measure pressure at various depths and locations. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change. Climate Feedback. Ocean Acidification. Rising Sea Level. Serway and J. Jewett, "Pressure," in Physics for Scientists and Engineers , 8th ed. Contact us About us Privacy policy Terms of use.

Pressure is often viewed as a negative force in our lives. Understandably so. Undue pressure can be an enormous cause of stress and turmoil. But each challenge that comes along also presents important questions that test our character, our approach to leadership, and our approach to life: Do we dare to engage in the face of such pressures?

Do we have the gumption to give it our all, knowing full well that we may fall visibly short? Do we have what it takes step up to the stresses of life? In fact, I have come to view the inevitable periods of pressure that accompany leadership and life as a golden opportunity to do some of my best work when it matters most — and to engage with the people around me in a most meaningful way. The opportunity to perform under pressure, in the face of adversity, and to meet or exceed expectations is key to lifting our contribution profile over time.

It seems to me that it is in those moments where the odds are stacked against us, when the heat is palpable and the stakes feel high, that, at our best, we can delight in rising to the challenge and prevailing.

We have to step into the ring, lean in to the punches, and do our darndest to come out on top. With that in mind, here are three important reasons that pressure can help make us better, help us succeed with integrity, and help us become more fully engaged in the pursuits of a full life. Pressure makes us better. Even if we are exceptional contributors who perform very well under normal circumstances, it is when challenges rear their heads that we are forced to apply all the knowledge and ingenuity that we can muster.

If we have prepared properly, through training, practice, and an ongoing earnest effort, we can rely on that training in challenging times to help us be our most agile and creative in the moment.

Why does this work? Because it is widely accepted that we must thrust ourselves into unfamiliar situations or mindsets to truly develop. External pressure, whether a sudden change of deadline or an all-hands-on-deck fire drill, removes the need for us to engineer the discomfort necessary for growth; it drops us right into the situation and encourages us to respond in the best way possible while leveraging our unique skills and insights.

Thriving under these conditions makes us even better for the next turbulent time and sharpens our skills for the day-to-day.