Virga

Virga is precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates before reaching the ground. Virga can cause very interesting weather effects, because as the rain changes from liquid to vapour form it takes a lot of heat out of the air, greatly cooling it. These small pockets of extremely cold air then descend rapidly, creating a microburst which can be extremely hazardous to aviation.

See also

• Fall streaks
• Aviation safety

External links

• National Science Digital Library - Virga (http://www.nsdl.arm.gov/Library/glossary.shtml#virga)

• Picture: Virga over Düsseldorf, Germany. (http://wetterchronik.de/mm/niederschlag/20040430fallstreifen.htm)