Faster & Slower Water Cycles on Earth

The fastest water cycle exists at the Equator. As we move to higher latitudes, the water cycle is slower, in comparison to that at the Equator.


Water Cycle Speed

Source - cotf.edu

The speed of nature's water cycle is defined by the rates of precipitation and evaporation everywhere on Earth.

Source - kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca

At the equator, the energy of falling sunlight heats water and increases evaporation. As sunlight is strongest at the equator, water bodies located here experience the highest rate of evaporation.
This water vapor moves to higher latitude (in both the upper and the lower hemispheres) and precipitates back to Earth till there is very very little moisture left to precipitate at 30 degrees of latitude (in both the upper and lower hemispheres).

Deserts in white
Source - desertmuseum.org

The precipitation amount and rate is lowest at the 30 degree latitudes. Most of Earth's desert areas lie at the 30 degree latitude mark.
Not all the deserts lie within the 30 degree latitudes as local weather and climatic conditions influence water vapor concentrations in the atmosphere, proximity of land and oceans and other factors influence precipitation with the 30 degree latitudes.