What does the term "virga" refer to?

The term "virga" specifically refers to precipitation, such as rain or snow, that evaporates before it can reach the surface of the Earth. This phenomenon occurs when the air beneath the cloud is dry enough to cause the falling droplets or snowflakes to evaporate completely while still suspended in the atmosphere. It often appears as wisps or streaks of precipitation underneath the cloud base, leading to the visual effect of rainfall or snowfall that seems to end abruptly before reaching the ground.

This characteristic differentiates virga from other types of precipitation which typically make it to the ground, such as rain or snow that fall into more humid air conditions. Understanding virga is essential for meteorologists as it can affect local humidity levels and even influence local weather patterns without the precipitation actually impacting the surface.