Time Constant

A time constant is the amount of time it takes for a meteorological sensor to respond to a rapid change in a measurand until it is measuring values within the accuracy tolerance usually expected of the sensor.

This most often applies to measurements of temperature, dewpoint temperature, humidity and air pressure. Radiosondes are especially affected due to their rapid increase in altitude.

Famous quotes containing the words time and/or constant:

    It wasn’t the right time for us to meet. But there’ll be other nights, other stars for us to watch. They’ll be back.
    Harry Essex (b. 1910)

    It is useless to contend with the irresistible power of Time, which goes on continually creating by a process of constant destruction.
    —E.T.A.W. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Wilhelm)