Virga in Eastern Utah at Sunset
February 11, 2016
Photographer: Dale Chadwick
Summary Authors: Dale Chadwick; Jim Foster
The photo above shows virga falling from cumulus mediocris clouds, highlighted by rays from the setting Sun, as observed between Price and Green River, Utah. Virga, precipitation evaporating before reaching the ground, is often seen in dry climates. Here (in the foreground at top center and the background at far left) it appears as a streamer or shaft just below the base of the cloud but doesn't extend to the surface. Note that it's possible some of the precipitation falling from these clouds, especially from the towering cumulonimbus at far left, actually reached the surface in which case it's rain, not virga. Photo taken on August 15, 2014.