A virga, also called a dry storm, is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation that evaporates or sublimates before reaching the ground. [1] A shaft of precipitation that does not evaporate before reaching the ground is known in meteorology as a precipitation shaft.

The meaning of VIRGA is wisps of precipitation evaporating before reaching the ground. Did you know?

Jan 6, 2022 · In meteorology, virga is a form of precipitation that falls from clouds, but either evaporates or sublimates before it reaches the ground. The term “virga” comes from the Latin word virga, which means “spring or twig.” The appearance of trailing tendrils of precipitation from clouds gives virga another name: jellyfish clouds.

Jan 17, 2025 · Virga is a meteorological phenomenon where precipitation, typically bands of rain, can be observed forming at the base of a rain cloud but disappear before reaching the ground as a result of evaporation or sublimation.

Sep 1, 2024 · Have you seen clouds that are pouring rain … but the rain never reaches the ground? Meteorologists call this rain by the name virga. You see virga in places where the air is dry, and often warm....

Nov 24, 2024 · Virga is a phenomenon characterized by precipitation that falls from clouds but evaporates before reaching the ground. Virga occurs in specific cloud types and forms under particular atmospheric conditions. Virga’s rarity depends on …

Virga is ghostly precipitation that never makes it to the ground. When the air beneath a cloud is very dry, precipitation falling through it evaporates before reaching Earth’s surface. What’s left are feathery streaks extending from the cloud’s base, capturing the path the rain or ice took before becoming water vapor.

In meteorology, virga is precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates or sublimes before reaching the ground. [1] It is seen a lot in deserts and temperate climates . These areas have low humidity and high temperatures which cause the rain to evaporate before reaching the ground.

Apr 15, 2023 · Virga is a weather phenomenon where precipitation evaporates before reaching the ground, creating wispy streaks below clouds. Virga can occur in various types of clouds, including Cirrocumulus, Altocumulus, Altostratus, Nimbostratus, Stratocumulus, Cumulus, and …

Jan 31, 2019 · Virga is the name given to precipitation (usually rain) that evaporates or sublimes before it hits the ground. It tends to look like wispy gray streaks hanging underneath the base of a cloud. For this reason, you may also hear virga referred to as "fallstreaks."