If water is in a very dry place where there is almost no dust in the air, when the water evaporates, it will have to travel a long distance until it can form on the dust in the air. If the clouds rain in a mountain it, will probably take more time for the water to get back to the ocean or lake. The longer the distance to a body of water, the longer the time. The hotter the place, the faster the water evaporates.