Explore Map Collection

Check out our basemaps

Print a Map Plus

Generate a high-quality PDF

Discover local flora, fauna, geology, and more

Local Flora & Fauna

Learn the ecology of your area

Learn the geologic formation at your feet

Get Started or Sign In

Welcome

Sign up to start exploring the one-of-a-kind Natural Atlas Topo map

Continue with Apple

Or

Already have an account? Sign In

MAP

Topo

Rock Formations

Measure

Copyright © Natural Atlas | Roads, Buildings © OSM Contributors | Data Sources

Topo

Ecoregions

Public Lands

...

BASEMAPS

Default Weather

Temperature

Smoke

...

WEATHER

Virga Clouds

On the Web

On Wikipedia

In meteorology, a virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation falling from a cloud that evaporates or sublimates before reaching the ground. A shaft of precipitation that does not evaporate before reaching the ground is a precipitation shaft. At high altitudes the precipitation falls mainly as ice crystals before melting and finally evaporating; this is often due to compressional heating, because the air pressure increases closer to the ground. It is very common in deserts and temperate climates. In North America, it is commonly seen in the Western United States and the Canadian Prairies. It is also very common in the Middle East, Australia, and North Africa. Virgae can cause varying weather effects, because as rain is changed from liquid to vapor form, it removes significant…

Read More on Wikipedia

Your Checklist

You have noted 0 Virga Clouds

Learn How to Take A Field Note

Range Map

Range Maps show field notes recorded by Natural Atlas contributors and other datasets via GBIF.org

Join Natural Atlas to keep track of the Virga Clouds you see on your outings.

Join Natural Atlas

Already have an account?

Top Observers