Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Virga

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 15:07 GMT le 26 mai 2005

The photo below posted today, titled, "Strange clouds" is an example of virga. Virga (also called fallstreaks) are wisps or streaks of rain or ice crystals precipitating out of a cloud, which evaporate before hitting the ground. Virga falling from high clouds made of ice crystals frequently angle back from the parent cloud, as seen in the photo below, "Sunset Virga". This happens because the winds at cloud level (where the jet stream can be) are usually higher than the winds closer to the surface. However, the photo "Wispy downward trend" shows virga falling from a cloud where the winds at cloud level and below are the same.

Sunset Virga (jadnash)

A nice display of virga at sunset.

Strange clouds (Jellybeans)

Photo taken in the Czech Replublic while on holday.

Wispy downward trend (WeatheringHeights)

This cloud almost looks like a tornado, but it was virga ... I think.

Categories: Atmospheric Phenomena

Permalink | A A A

Top of Page

Reader Comments

Display: 0, 50, 100, 200

Sort: Newest First - Order Posted

Viewing: 1 - 3

Page: 1 — Blog Index

1. SandiaVan 4:02 AM GMT on June 04, 2005
Now I'll be able to spell "Virga" correctly. Very common here in the southwest. (See attached photo) Thanks for the Blog. Van Member Since: 16 avril 2002 Posts: 0 Comments: 1

2. SandiaVan 4:05 AM GMT on June 04, 2005
Hmm, the link didn't work. Here is the pic: http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/myphotos.html?number=75&handle=SandiaVan Member Since: 16 avril 2002 Posts: 0 Comments: 1

3. Topcat22 10:17 PM GMT on June 08, 2005
I saw the great photo of "marshmallow" clouds on the site, and then saw these clouds live and in person the next day. What is the significance (if any) of these clouds? Member Since: 9 septembre 2001 Posts: 0 Comments: 0

Viewing: 1 - 3

Page: 1 — Blog Index

Top of Page

New Comment

Community Standards Policy Comments will take a few seconds to appear.

Post Your Comments

Please sign in to post comments.

or Join

Not only will you be able to leave comments on this blog, but you'll also have the ability to upload and share your photos in our Wunder Photos section.

About JeffMasters