Do you ever think about why it's raining?

 

 

Where's it coming from?

How did it get there?

Is it the same for snow, hail and other stuff that falls from the sky?

 

Well, it's all to do with something called the water cycle.

 

It's the way that water moves around our environment - here's a diagram of the water cycle for you to have a look at:

 

 

Go back and look at it again and think about what's going on.

 

As you know, water is essential for life and, whether we like it or not, rain brings water for plants, animals and people.

Water that falls as rain runs into streams and rivers on its way to the sea.

 

 

The wind, and heat from the sun evaporates water from lakes and the sea.

 

 

 

It rises into the air to form clouds, where the water vapour condenses into droplets.

The clouds are blown over the land, and when the water droplets in the cloud become too heavy, they fall as rain, sleet or snow (which is collectively known as precipitation).

 

 

Can you begin to see the idea of a cycle in all that - water being recycled again and again?

 

OK, well let's tackle a few questions to help you get the water cycle nailed!