Temperature-Induced Errors in the ML-476 Humidity Data

Abstract

Temperature-induced humidity errors in the carbon humidity element ML-476 are described. The dominant error is caused by solar irradiation and results in a lowering of reported humidity values. The effect was found with both the military AN/AMT-12 and weather Bureau radiosondes. Flight studies indicate that a significant improvement in data acquisition will result from a blackening of the sensor channel walls.