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:
“Yelburton: After you work with a man a certain length of time you come to know his habits, his values. You come to know him. And either he’s the kind who chases after women or he’s not.
J.J. Gittes: Mulwray isn’t?
Yelburton: He never even kids about it.
J.J. Gittes: Well, maybe he takes it very seriously.”
—Robert Towne (b. 1936)
“Man, so long as he remains free, has no more constant and agonizing anxiety than find as quickly as possible someone to worship.”
—Feodor Dostoyevsky (1821–1881)