| Term | Definition |
| Stratosphere | The portion of the homosphere that ranges from 20 to 50 km above earth's surface; contains the functional ozonosphere |
| Ozone | A colourless gas made of three Oxygen molecules |
| Evaporation | The movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface into air that is less saturated |
| Greenhouse Effect | The process by which some gases delay the loss of infrared to space |
| Absorption | Assimilation and conversion of radiation from one form into another medium |
| Refraction | The bending effect on electromagnetic waves that occurs when insolation enters the atmosphere or other medium |
| Thermosphere | A region of the heterosphere extending from 80 to 480 km in altitude |
| Lapse Rate | The rate of temperature decrease with increasing altitude in Earth's lower atmosphere |
| Latitude | The angular distance measured North or South of the equator from a point at the centre of Earth |
| Microclimatology | The study of local climates at or near the Earth's surface |
| Mesosphere | The upper region of the homosphere from 50 to 80 km above the ground |
| Albedo | The reflective quality of a surface; a function of surface colour, angle of incidence, and surface texture |
| Greenhouse Gases | Gases in the lower atmosphere that delay the passage of longwave radiation to space by absorbing and reradiating specific wavelengths |
| Conduction | The slow molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat through a medium, from warmer to colder poles |
| Carbon Dioxide | A colourless, odorless gas found in the atmosphere |
| Transmission | The passage of longwave and shortwave energy through space, the atmosphere, or water |
| Heat wave | A prolonged period of abnormally high temperatures, normally, but not always, in association with humid weather |
| Land-water heating differences | Differences in temperature caused by location relative to large bodies of water |
| Troposphere | The home of the biosphere; the lowest layer of the homosphere; occurs at 18 to 13 km |
| Solar Radiation | Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun |
| Infrared Radiation | A type of energy invisible to the naked eye; felt as heat |
| Thermal Equator | The isoline on an isothermal map that connects all points of highest mean temperature |
| Gulf Stream | A strong, northward-moving, warm current off the east coast of North America, which carries its water far into the North Atlantic |
| Reflection | The portion of arriving insolation that is returned directly to space |
| Insolation | Solar radiation that is incoming to Earth's systems |
| Water Vapour | One state of water within the hydrosphere |
| Transparency | The quality of a medium that allows light to easily pass through it |
| Temperature | A measure of sensible heat energy present in the atmosphere and other media |
| Convection Currents | A current in a fluid that results from convection |
| Altitude | The height of an object or point in relation to sea or ground level |
