The large rain storm that hits the town demonstrates the stage of precipitation in the water cycle. During this stage, water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into droplets, which fall to the ground as rain. After the storm, the water that falls can take several paths in the water cycle.
First, some of the rainwater will infiltrate the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies and providing much-needed moisture for plants. This groundwater can eventually resurface through springs or be taken up by plant roots.
Additionally, some of the rainwater will flow over the surface, creating runoff, which may collect in rivers, lakes, or oceans. This water will be subject to evaporation, where it transforms back into vapor and rises into the atmosphere, completing the cycle. The water vapor can then condense and lead to cloud formation, eventually resulting in new precipitation, thus starting the cycle all over again. Overall, the rainstorm plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the water cycle in the environment.