Clouds form through the water cycle as water evaporates from surfaces and condenses into drops of water that stick together in the sky. Clouds come in different shapes and colors and can help bring rain to help things grow or provide shade, but they can also harm by bringing too much rain and causing floods or storms with lightning, hail, or blizzards. Clouds influence activities and behaviors depending on their type as storm clouds may cause people to go inside while fog may necessitate driving slowly or turning on lights.