The large rainstorm in your town is an example of the precipitation stage of the water cycle. Precipitation occurs when water falls from the sky in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
After the rainstorm, here is what happens to the water as the water cycle continues:
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Runoff: After it rains, some of the water flows over the ground (this is called runoff) and moves into rivers, lakes, and streams. It may also soak into the soil, where it helps plants grow.
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Evaporation: When the sun comes out after the rain, it heats up the water in rivers, lakes, and puddles. This causes some of the water to turn into water vapor and rise into the air, which is called evaporation.
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Condensation: As the water vapor rises, it cools down and starts to form tiny water droplets. These droplets gather together in the sky to create clouds. This process is called condensation.
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Precipitation: Eventually, the clouds get heavier with water droplets. When they become too full, the water falls back to the ground as precipitation, starting the cycle all over again!
So, the rainstorm is just one part of the water cycle, and then the water keeps moving through the different stages over and over again!