"lagged response" refers to a delay in reacting or responding to something. It typically implies that the response came after a significant amount of time compared to when it was expected or needed. Full definition
It seems clear to me that that mountain glaciers and permafrost are: 1 sensitive indicators of changes in temperature; 2 uncontaminated by urban heat islands; 3 have short response times (no problem with lagged response to Little Ice Age cooling); have wide geographical coverage (especially in remote areas). (realclimate.org)
Control issues, lagging response time and a rushed - to - market feel water - down what should have been the best soccer game on PSP. (metacritic.com)
But the administration also has faced complaints that its efforts lagged responses to hurricanes that hit the mainland. (chicagotribune.com)