What does it mean when the barometer is rising, steady and falling?

Question

I hear this on the news all the time when checking the weather and I don't really know what it means.

Answer 1

Very basically:  If  barometric is rising the chance of precipitation is less.  Steady, it is staying the same.

falling, the chance of precipitation is increasing.

Answer 2

Barometers are used to measure air pressure.  If the barometer is rising this means that the air pressure is rising.  

There are no absolutes in weather, but a rising baromenter usually means a High Pressure system is approaching.  High

pressure systems generally mean cool and fair weather.  A falling barometer means the high pressure is moving on.  This might or might not indicate the presence of an approaching front.  A steady barometer means the weather will be the same as it is now.

Answer 3

cyswxman is technically correct.  The simple answer is that a

barometer measures air pressure and that, in turn, is a

commonly accepted method for forecasting weather.  The

higher, the better.  30+ means good weather.

Answer 4

Technically, it means that the weight of the atmosphere over the barometer site is changing, for whatever reason.  Air has weight, but it is not constant from one location to another, but varies.  A falling barometer means the air is becoming lighter, which typically means a low pressure system is developing or moving through the area.  Steady simply means no pressure changes are occurring, while a rising barometer indicates that the air is getting heavier, usually as a result of an approaching high pressure region.