Stages water go through before freezing?

1. Evaporation

2. Condensation

3. Precipitation

4. Run-off (Though not really considered.)

Evaporation is when water from lakes/oceans/water sources is "sucked" into the sky, or evaporated. It's vaporization.

Condensation is when the water in the sky is being changed from the gaseous state into a liquid, the reverse of vaporization.

Precipitation is rain/sleet/snow/hail, it's the water from the condensation.

There are four stages in a water cycle, evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection.

When water from the oceans, lakes, rivers, and the ground gain heat from the Sun and the surrounding air, it evaporates into water vapor. The water vapor rises up into the Earth's atmosphere.

Since the surrounding air is cooler there, the water vapor loses heat and condenses into tiny water droplets, also known as mist, which forms clouds. When the droplets get too heavy, they fall back to Earth as rain or snow. This process is known as precipitation.

The rain or melted snow refills the the oceans, lakes and rivers.

When water evaporates, impurities are left behind. Therefore, the water cycle ensures that we get a continuous supply of clean, fresh water.

The four stages of the water cycle are:

• Evaporation
• Condensation
• Precipitation
• Collection