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:

    The time of universal peace is near.
    Prove this a prosp’rous day, the three-nooked world
    Shall bear the olive freely.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    Where there are no rights, there are no duties.
    —Henri Benjamin Constant De Rebecque (1767–1830)