Air pressure inside a hurricane is the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on a given area within the storm. It is measured in millibars (mb) and is an important factor in understanding the strength and severity of a hurricane.
Air pressure inside a hurricane can vary greatly depending on the strength and size of the storm. As a hurricane intensifies, the air pressure at its center will decrease, creating a lower pressure zone. This lower pressure causes air from surrounding areas to rush in, creating strong winds and a circular motion.
Air pressure and wind speed in a hurricane are closely related. As the air pressure at the center of a hurricane drops, the wind speed increases. This is due to the movement of air from high pressure areas to low pressure areas. The lower the air pressure, the stronger the winds will be.
Air pressure in a hurricane is measured using a device called a barometer. These instruments can be either mercury or aneroid barometers and are typically placed on weather buoys or aircrafts that fly into the storm. The measurements are then recorded and used to track the intensity of the hurricane.
The lowest air pressure ever recorded in a hurricane was in Hurricane Wilma in 2005, with a central pressure of 882 mb. This was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin. However, it is possible that other hurricanes have had lower air pressure readings, but were not accurately measured due to limited technology at the time.