Water doesn't suddenly "become" a gas at a single temperature. It undergoes a process called evaporation, which can happen over a range of temperatures.

Here's a breakdown:

* Boiling Point: The temperature at which water boils and rapidly turns into steam is 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure. This is the point where water vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure.

* Evaporation: Evaporation happens at temperatures below the boiling point. Water molecules on the surface gain enough energy to escape into the air as vapor. This process happens faster at higher temperatures.

So, while 100°C is the point where water boils most readily, it can evaporate at temperatures significantly lower than that.