Rain and snow fall from clouds. Ice can form from water already on earth's surface or as it falls from clouds. Water reaches the clouds though a natural procedure called evaporation. Water that is heated by the the sun evaporates. It rises in tiny droplets into the air.

Snow begins to form in cold, upper air when water vapor freezes. As it freezes, water vapor makes tiny beads of ice. Beads of ice stick together forming snowflakes. Snowflakes are like fingersprints - no two are exactly alike. Snow falls for short periods in snow showers or flurries. Heavy, windblown snowstorms are called blizzards.

Frost can cover leaves, lawns, windows and woodpiles with an icy, white veil. A heavy frost looks like it came from  silver-white paint. When air cools enough to freeze water vapor, the water vapor becomes frost. In early fall a meadow may be covered with dew one morning and frost the next, if it gets cold enough.
 

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