When warm, moist air rises and cools, what happens to the water vapor in it?

When warm, moist air rises, it expands and subsequently cools due to the decreasing atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. As the temperature of the air decreases, it cannot hold as much water vapor, which is influenced by the temperature of the air.

The cooling of air leads to the condensation of water vapor into tiny water droplets, which aggregate to form clouds. This process is crucial for the formation of clouds and precipitation. The transition from water vapor to liquid water is known as condensation, and it occurs when the air reaches its dew point—the temperature at which the air becomes saturated with moisture.

In summary, as warm, moist air rises and cools, the water vapor within it condenses into clouds, illustrating a fundamental process in meteorology that contributes to weather patterns and the water cycle.