Home Environment Virga is rain that does not reach the ground

Virga is rain that does not reach the ground

543
0

virga-rocky-mountains-Calgry-Alberta-Canada-8-16-2014-Jill-Whamond-e1408728358873

 The word virga is derived from Latin meaning “twig” or “branch”.

We’ve all seen virga, but maybe not known what it’s called. Virga is rain that evaporates before it hits the ground. It often appears in streaks or shafts extending from the bottoms of clouds. You often see virga over a desert, where low humidity and high temperatures can cause rain to evaporate shortly after being released by clouds. Or you might see virga at high altitudes; in fact, the precipitation often starts out in the form of ice crystals. Virga is commonly seen in the U.S. West and above the Canadian Prairies, in the Middle East, Australia and North Africa. At some northerly latitudes, virga sometimes paints the sky above.  It’s an especially dramatic sight at sunrise or sunset.virga_sunset_Pecos_NM_Timothy_Busch-e1405351643597Source: EarthSky

Previous articleAbalone- mollusk we will soon only see on a postcard
Next articleClouds that look like ocean waves. What is it?

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here