The water cycle is fundamental to weather. Solar energy causes water from oceans, lakes, and rivers to evaporate, turning into water vapor. This warm, moist air rises. As it ascends, it cools, and the water vapor condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds (condensation). When these droplets or crystals grow large enough, they fall back to Earth as precipitation (rain, snow, hail, sleet). Precipitation significantly impacts daily weather, affecting temperature, humidity, and ground moisture. The cycle continues as water flows back to bodies of water or infiltrates the ground. Thus, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are continuous processes driven by solar energy, directly determining the humidity, cloud cover, and rainfall, which are crucial aspects of a place's weather.