How the Water Cycle Affects Local Weather

The water cycle plays a big role in our weather, and it does this through four main steps:

1. Evaporation:

   • Most of the evaporation, about 80%, happens over oceans. This process adds moisture, or water vapor, to the air.

2. Condensation:

   • When the water vapor cools down, it changes back into tiny droplets of water, forming clouds. This is important because about 70% of rain and snow comes from these clouds.

3. Precipitation:

   • Each year, around 505,000 cubic kilometers of water falls to the ground as precipitation, like rain or snow. This can change the local environment and affect plants and animals in the area.

4. Runoff:

   • When it rains or snows, only 30% of that water makes its way back to the oceans. The other 70% flows into rivers and lakes, which are really important for plants and animals living nearby.

All these steps work together and interact with each other. They help shape our weather patterns and can also affect the climate in different places.