The process explaining why we can see our breath on cold days is condensation. When warm, moist air from our lungs mixes with the colder surrounding air, the temperature of the water vapor decreases quickly. This cooling causes the vapor to lose energy, transitioning from a gas to tiny water droplets, which form visible clouds or mist. This phenomenon can be observed not only in breath but also in weather patterns like fog and dew. Condensation is an essential part of the water cycle, contributing to moisture in the environment.