Is there an accurate equation for converting altitude to pressure?
The only way to get a completely accurate measurement of the pressure at a particular altitude at a particular time and place is to send up an instrument, such as on a weather balloon, to measure it. Upper air pressures, like pressure at the surface, change as upper-air high and low pressure systems move in and out of an area. But, both a formula and rules of thumb will give you the relation between altitude and pressure in a general sense. You’ll find these on USA TODAY’s online barometric pressure corrections page. When you get there, go down to the “How pressure decreases with altitude” headline.
