Simplified, the main driving force behind any wind is the horizontal changes
in air pressure. The greater the difference, the stronger the wind. The
coriolis effect and the rotation of the earth make the wind blow
counterclockwise around a low pressure area, and clockwise around a high
pressure area (Northern Hemisphere).

A lower central pressure would mean a bigger pressure gradient, and
therefore stronger winds and a "more intense" storm. There is more to it,
but I tried to keep it simple.


"BayouOwl" wrote in message
ink.net...
Fellow weather weenies,

I was wondering if anyone out there could explain for me (in ignorant
layman's terms) what the significance of the pressure reading means for a
hurricane. I have found several scientific documents relating to pressure
readings and millibars, etc. but none that explain how a lower pressure
relates to a storm being categorized as more "stable" or "intense". I
realize that this may be a silly question for some of you, but with the
current hurricane season being such an active one, I have learned more
this
year than any other save for this one facet. Any help would be
appreciated.

Thanks so much,
~~BayouOwl (surviving in Florida)

--
"Pain is inevitable, Suffering is optional" ~~M. Kathleen Casey