The Cycle Cloud Formation Cloud Formation P recipitation is one key to the water cycle. Through the process of evaporation and transpiration, water moves into the atmosphere. Water vapors then join with dust particles to create clouds. Eventually, water returns to Earth as precipitation in the form of rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
All clouds contain water vapors.
You rarely ever see clouds in the desert because there is very little water to evaporate and form clouds. Coastal regions can receive a lot of rain because they pull up moisture from surrounding waters. Cloud size are influenced by many complex factors, some of which we still do not understand very well. There are many funny names for clouds. In 1802 an Englishman by the name of Luke Howard invented the cloud naming system that is still in use today.