What role does temperature play in the water cycle?

Temperature plays a critical role in the water cycle primarily by influencing evaporation rates. When temperatures rise, the energy available in the form of heat increases the rate at which water evaporates from bodies of water, soil, and other surfaces. Higher temperatures provide more energy to water molecules, allowing them to transition from a liquid state to water vapor more readily.

This process of evaporation is essential for the water cycle, as it contributes to the movement of water vapor into the atmosphere, where it can later condense to form clouds and eventually fall as precipitation. Therefore, changes in temperature can significantly alter the dynamics of the water cycle, such as the amount and frequency of rainfall, as well as affecting humidity levels, but the key aspect is how temperature directly drives evaporation.

Options that suggest temperature has no role or only affects other factors like humidity do not capture the fundamental relationship between temperature and evaporation crucial to the water cycle.