Evaporation is the process by which water is converted from its liquid form to its vapor form and thus transferred from land and water masses to the atmosphere. Evaporation from the oceans accounts for 80% of the water delivered as precipitation, with the balance occurring on land, inland waters and plant surfaces.

As shown in the accompanying interactive animation, the rate of evaporation depends upon:

• Wind speed: the higher the wind speed, the more evaporation
  
  
• Temperature: the higher the temperature, the more evaporation
  
  
• Humidity: the lower the humidity, the more evaporation

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