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:

    Say, what abridgement have you for this evening?
    What masque, what music? How shall we beguile
    The lazy time if not with some delight?
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    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)