FORMS OF LIQUID  PRECIPITATION

  Type

Diameter of Droplets Reaching Surface [mm]

  Virga

None (evaporates before reaching surface)

 (Does not occur)

d < 0.005 mm (terminal velocity too small)

 Mist

0.005 mm < d < 0.05 mm

 Drizzle

0.05 mm < d < 0.5 mm

 Rain

0.5 mm < d < 5.0 mm

 (Does not occur)

5.0 mm < d (unstable droplets break into fragments)