What is virga and what does it indicate?

Virga is defined as precipitation that occurs when rain or any liquid water falls from a cloud but evaporates before it can reach the ground. This phenomenon is typically observed in dry air where the humidity near the surface is significantly lower than that in the cloud, allowing the raindrops to disappear in the drier air before they hit the ground. The appearance of virga can often be seen as streaks or wisps trailing from a cloud base, indicating that precipitation is occurring aloft but not reaching the surface.

This definition and understanding of virga are crucial for meteorological studies and weather prediction since it can impact local weather conditions without contributing to actual ground moisture. The other options describe types of precipitation that do manage to reach the ground, whether in liquid form or after undergoing some transformation, which does not align with the specific characteristics of virga.