Which term describes precipitation that evaporates before reaching the Earth's surface?

The term that describes precipitation that evaporates before reaching the Earth's surface is “Virga.” This phenomenon occurs when rain or another form of precipitation falls from the clouds but experiences evaporation as it descends through dry air, preventing it from reaching the ground. Virga often appears as streaks of rain that seem to hang in the air, providing a visual indication of precipitation that is not actually making it to the Earth's surface.

In contrast, mist is a form of weather that involves tiny water droplets suspended in the air, reducing visibility but not related to evaporation before reaching the ground. Drizzle refers to light rain with very small drops that do reach the surface, and fog involves low-lying clouds that create a thick, moisture-laden environment that moves across the ground rather than falling from the sky. Thus, Virga is the precise term for precipitation that does not make it to the surface due to evaporation.