Final answer:
A weather advisory is issued for conditions that could be potentially unsafe or inconvenient, such as significant snow, ice, or strong winds, often prompted by changes in atmospheric pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
A weather advisory is issued when specific weather conditions that may not be immediately dangerous but could pose a threat to safety or cause significant inconvenience are expected to occur. Factors that might prompt a weather advisory include conditions such as moderately heavy snow, ice, thunderstorms, winds below hurricane level, and atmospheric pressure changes causing weather phenomena. Weather advisories alert the public so people can take proper precautions and make informed decisions about their activities.
For example, a significant drop in atmospheric pressure often leads to severe weather changes. If pressure falls to nearly 15% below average, this can result in strong winds, heavy rainfall, and sometimes the formation of a hurricane, as stated in the scenario provided. The barometric pressure is a crucial factor, as it influences wind patterns and the potential development of high-intensity storms like tornadoes.
The National Weather Service and organizations like the Space Weather Prediction Center offer services such as space weather predictions, which provide information about solar events that could impact Earth. Services like these issue outlooks, bulletins, warnings, and alerts to keep the public informed about imminent or ongoing weather events both on Earth and from space, aiding in preparation and safety measures.