Final answer:
Condensation of water vapor releases latent heat, warming the surroundings and contributing to phenomena like cloud formation and storm development.
Step-by-step explanation:
When water vapor condenses, it releases latent heat. This process occurs because energy must be removed from the condensing water vapor molecules to transition from a gaseous state back to a liquid state. The heat released during condensation can warm the surrounding environment. This is a key phenomenon in various natural processes, such as the formation of clouds and the development of storms, where water vapor carried upward by convection condenses, causing the release of energy that drives the cloud higher and possibly leading to violent weather patterns.