After precipitation, the next step in the water cycle is typically infiltration or runoff, depending on the surface conditions. When precipitation falls, it can either seep into the ground, a process known as infiltration, or flow over the surface as runoff.
Infiltration occurs when water penetrates the soil, replenishing groundwater supplies. This process is crucial for maintaining the water table and supporting plant life. On the other hand, if the ground is saturated, frozen, or sealed (like pavement), water will not infiltrate and will instead flow over the surface, which is known as runoff. This runoff eventually leads to rivers, lakes, and oceans, where the water will eventually evaporate, continuing the cycle.
In summary, after precipitation, water either infiltrates into the ground or runs off into larger bodies of water, both of which play significant roles in the water cycle.