Rain falls because of the water cycle. The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. When the sun heats up the Earth's surface, it causes water from oceans, lakes, and rivers to evaporate and form water vapor in the atmosphere. As the water vapor rises, it cools and condenses into tiny droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds. When these droplets or crystals become too heavy, they fall from the clouds as precipitation, which can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Rain specifically occurs when the temperature is above freezing and the droplets remain in liquid form as they fall to the ground.