Was the lowest barometric pressure in U.S. history recorded during a hurricane?
Yes. The lowest barometric pressure ever measured on the U.S. mainland was 26.35 inches, set on Sept. 2, 1935, in Long Key, Fla., during the Category 5 Labor Day hurricane that killed more than 400 people. This is the third-lowest barometric pressure ever recorded during an Atlantic hurricane, behind only Wilma in 2005 and Gilbert in 1988 (both readings were recorded offshore). The world s low-pressure record of 25.69 inches was set over the Pacific Ocean, during Typhoon Tip in Oct. 1979. For comparison, standard sea-level barometric pressure is 29.92 inches, while the highest pressure reading of all-time was 32.01 inches, set in the Soviet Union in Dec. 1968. This USA TODAY resource page has more about understanding air pressure.
