- Evaporation – when liquid water changes state into gas. increased solar radiation warm dry air and water supply will increase this process. little solar radiation water and cool air results in low rates of this process.
- Cryosphere process – the amount stored in the cryosphere can be altered by accumulation or ablation.
- Condensation occurs when water vapour changes to liquid. magnitude depends on the amount of water in the atmosphere and the temperature.
- Cloud formation and precipitation- the main flow of water from atmosphere to the ground. For these to form water vapour there has to be a cloud nuclei so condensation can take place and accumulate. This could vary seasonally for example in the UK there is usually more in the winter