In the water cycle, the sun's heat provides energy to evaporate water from the earth's surface (oceans, lakes, the water vapor eventually condenses, forming tiny droplets in clouds. when the clouds meet cool air over land, precipitation (rain, sleet, or snow) is triggered, and water returns to the land (or sea). the water flows downhill as runoff (above ground or underground), eventually returning to the seas as slightly salty water. and then the cycle starts over. droughts, periods of time with below average rainfall, result from a lack of precipitation. imagine an area along the coast that normally receives rain clouds that develop over the ocean and move in toward land. if this coastal area is currently experiencing a drought, how would a decrease in evaporation from the ocean affect the drought?