The water cycle has several important stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. Each stage is essential for weather and climate.

1. Evaporation: This is when the sun heats up water in oceans, lakes, and rivers, turning it into water vapor. The extra moisture in the air can make the weather feel humid, which can cause temperatures to rise.

2. Condensation: As the water vapor goes up, it cools down and turns into tiny droplets that make clouds. This is how clouds form. The type and amount of clouds can affect how much sunlight reaches the Earth, which can change the temperature.

3. Precipitation: When the tiny droplets in clouds come together and become too heavy, they fall to the ground as precipitation. This can be in the form of rain, snow, or sleet. Precipitation is important because it provides fresh water needed for plants, animals, and people.

4. Infiltration and Runoff: The water that falls can either seep into the ground, which helps to refill underground water supplies, or it can flow over the ground into rivers and lakes. This movement helps keep the balance of water in different areas and affects how soil is worn away.

Overall, the water cycle is a key part of regulating our climate. It affects everything from local weather to the Earth’s climate as a whole, making sure that habitats and communities can thrive.