What is Atmospheric Water Vapor?

The evaporation of water from the earth's oceans and snow-covered mountains contributes to the layer of atmospheric water vapor in the sky.  By studying atmospheric water vapor patterns, you can understand more about climate conditions and various natural weather conditions like hurricanes.

About Atmospheric Water Vapor

Atmospheric water vapor is the cloudy gas of liquid that hangs in the sky above the earth.  This gaseous water is only a small part of the atmosphere, but it plays a significant role in precipitation and weather patterns on Earth.  Atmospheric water vapor is approximately 4 percent of the atmosphere above oceans and drops to trace levels over tops of desert regions.

Weather Phenomena

Fog and clouds form when water vapor condenses under certain temperature conditions.  Hurricanes are an example of the destructive force that atmospheric water vapor can unleash. Vaporization in the atmosphere releases latent heat, a form of atmospheric energy.  When this latent heat forms atmospheric convection patterns, weather phenomena like hurricanes and tornadoes are unleashed upon the world.

Replenishes

When it rains, atmospheric water vapor condenses and falls onto the earth below.  Water vapor is replenished through evaporation, especially from lakes, rivers and oceans.  There are numerous other phenomena through which water evaporates into the atmospheric layer, such as transpiration of plants and volcanic fumes.  If the entire amount of water trapped in the atmospheric water vapor were to be suddenly released, it is estimated that approximately 1 inch of water would instantly fall upon the entire surface of planet Earth.