Question

How does the water cycle affect weather patterns and climate?

Answer 1

Hint: Water cycle is the representation of water circulation in various forms through the environment around us.

Complete answer:
Water is composed of chemical elements hydrogen and oxygen. It exists in gaseous, liquid, and solid states. It is one of the most plentiful and essential of compounds. It is tasteless and odourless liquid at room temperature. Water is called a universal solvent as it has the ability to dissolve many other substances. Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, mostly in the form of seas and oceans. Small portions of water are present in the form of groundwater, in the glaciers and the ice caps, and in the air as vapor, clouds, and precipitation.

All major elements circulate in the environment in various forms. This circulation is represented in the form of cycles- like oxygen cycle, carbon cycle, methane cycle, phosphorus cycle. Water moves continually through the water cycle in the stages of evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and runoff, and reaches the water bodies.

The amount of water available in a region also affects the climate in terms of potential vegetative cover and temperatures. Water influences the intensity of climate. It is the energy contained in the water cycle that creates major storms like hurricanes and typhoons. More the water is present in an area, the more water is evaporated. The distribution of solar energy through the water cycle creates winds and weather patterns. Water condenses in the form of clouds and when the clouds collide with barriers like mountains, waterfalls on earth surface in the form of rain. The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere is a significant aspect of the weather patterns on Earth.

Note: So the water cycle greatly influences weather patterns and climate of the geographical area. It is the key part of extreme events such as drought and floods. Its abundance and timely delivery are critical for water regulation in the ecosphere and also survival of living organisms.