[Paddlewise] Barometers - essential tool?

Hi all,
 
    I've been delving deeper into the use of a barometer to help improve
my ability to forecast. But I keep getting this nagging sense that it
can only confirm the info the I'm getting from other weather signs. So
I'm looking for other barometer users or others skilled in the use of a
barometer to tell me what a barometer can do for me that a study of the
sky cannot. Put another way, I'm finding that the barometer I just
bought is able to tell me no more than I can see for myself by looking
at the clouds and feeling the wind. Barometers measure what has happened
not what will happen so by themselves they do not forecast. Pressure by
itself doesn't tell the whole story; location of air masses along with
their temp, moisture level and pressure seemed to be required as well.
 
    So, are there any barometer users out there that can help me
understand the value of a barometer? I'm certainly not trying to trash
barometer owners. I just want to understand their use so I can take
advantage of their capabilities.
 
Thanks in advance for your comments,
Jed

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