If you’ve lived in Santa Fe for any length of time, you’ve probably seen what looks like streaks of rain falling from clouds — but then you notice the ground stays bone dry. That phenomenon is called virga, and it’s a regular part of our weather here in northern New Mexico.
Virga - The Rain that Never Reaches the Ground
August 19, 2025
By Jay Faught
What is Virga?
Virga occurs when rain or snow begins falling from a cloud but evaporates (or sublimates, in the case of snow) before it can reach the ground. This happens most often in dry climates like ours, where the lower levels of the atmosphere have very low humidity. Essentially, the precipitation is “stolen” by the dry air before it completes its journey to the surface.
From a distance, virga looks like wispy streaks or curtains of precipitation hanging below clouds, often tapering away before touching the earth. It can make for some stunning sunsets when the low-angle light catches those streaks.
Why is Virga Common in Santa Fe?
At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe sits in a semi-arid climate where the atmosphere is often quite dry. Even when monsoon moisture is present, the lower levels of the atmosphere can remain dry enough to evaporate rain before it hits the ground. That’s why you might see dark clouds overhead, even flashes of lightning, but still end up without a drop of measurable rainfall.
How Virga Impacts Our Weather
While virga may look harmless, it can have real impacts:
- Gusty Winds: As the rain evaporates, it cools the air, making it denser. That cooler air rushes downward and then spreads out when it hits the ground, creating sudden bursts of wind known as outflow winds or gust fronts. These are often the reason for our blustery afternoons and evenings when storms are nearby but not directly overhead.
- Dry Thunderstorms: Sometimes virga is paired with lightning that strikes the ground while the rain never makes it down. This is a classic setup for wildfire danger in New Mexico — a storm that produces lightning but no helpful rainfall.
False Hope for Rain: Many of us know the frustration of watching promising clouds build up only to realize the “rain” never arrives. Virga is a big reason why Santa Fe can have active skies but relatively low annual rainfall totals.
Santa Fe Weather
Updated Storm Track for Weekend Storm November 14, 2025 By Jay Faught The storm system we’ve been watching all week has shifted—but this time, it’s slowing down and taking a more northerly route. That updated path dramatically changes the weekend forecast for Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. A Slower, More Northern Storm Track Earlier projections had the storm sweeping into New Mexico sooner, with a more organized band of moisture. But the latest data shows the system digging more slowly along the West Coast and pushing a bit farther north than originally expected. That shift means Southern California will now take the brunt of the storm, with periods of heavy rain and even flooding concerns in some areas. For us in Santa Fe, however, the impacts will be much more limited. Santa Fe’s Updated Forecast: Light and Late Instead of showers developing Saturday or early Sunday, the latest timing suggests isolated light rain showers won’t arrive until Sunday night. The moisture feed simply doesn’t extend far enough south to bring widespread precipitation to our area. Here’s what that means for your weekend plans: Most of the weekend stays dry—great news if you're planning outdoor activities around town or on the trails. Isolated showers Sunday night may bring brief dampness but nothing widespread or soaking. Snow Levels: Staying High There will be just enough moisture and lift Sunday night into early Monday for a few flakes in the higher terrain: Light snow is possible above 9,000 feet, mainly over the highest peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Accumulations look minimal, and ski areas won’t see major impacts, though the first hints of winter are always exciting. Valleys, including Santa Fe, will stay warm enough for just light rain if anything at all. Bottom Line While this storm is impressive for the West Coast, its slower and more northern track means Santa Fe will see only minor impacts—mostly a few isolated showers Sunday night and perhaps a dusting of snow high in the mountains. A bigger takeaway: this pattern shift still hints at an active atmosphere as we move deeper into November. It’s a good reminder that our storm season is just getting started.
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