Plain English Meaning
Rain or snow that falls from a cloud but dries up in the air before it ever touches the ground.
Full Definition
Precipitation falling from a cloud that evaporates before reaching the ground. It appears on radar and is visible to the eye as wispy streaks trailing beneath the cloud base, but no rain or snow actually arrives at the surface.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather discussions, ATC radar weather displays, and visually as streaks hanging below a cloud base.
Derivation
From Latin virga, meaning 'rod' or 'streak.' The name comes from the way the falling, evaporating precipitation looks from below — long, hanging streaks under the cloud, like rods reaching down toward the ground but not making it.
Why Pilots Care
Indicates strong and possible that can affect near the surface.