Before precipitation, water needs to

evaporate

condense

runoff

percolate

evaporate

Did you know?

Did you know that before precipitation occurs, there are several important steps that water goes through? First, water evaporates from the surface of bodies of water, like lakes and oceans, due to the heat from the sun. This vapor then condenses and forms clouds. Once the clouds become saturated with moisture, they release the water droplets as precipitation, such as rain, snow, or hail. After falling to the ground, the water can follow different paths. It may runoff over the surface, forming streams and rivers, or percolate down into the ground. This process of percolation allows water to slowly seep through the soil and rocks, replenishing underground water sources like wells and aquifers. Understanding these steps helps us appreciate the interconnectedness of the water cycle and how water is distributed on Earth.