PHOENIX — You've heard weather terms like isolated and scattered. But do you know what they actually mean in meteorology?
Isolated vs. scattered
When tracking a storm, isolated and scattered have different meanings. Isolated showers are all alone and usually affect less than 20% of a region. Scattered showers or thunderstorms impact 30-50% of an area. It is important to note that none of those terms reflect anything about the amount, intensity, or duration of the rain event. This only refers to the extent of areal coverage.
Virga
This is precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates before making it to the ground. If you see rain shafts, but nothing on the ground, it's likely virga.
Crepuscular rays
It comes from the Latin word crepusculum, which means twilight. These are sunbeams that break through layers of clouds. The most common time for this to occur is just after sunrise, or just before sunset.
Arizona Weather
Arizona has seen its fair share of severe weather. Here is a compilation of videos from various storms across the Grand Canyon state.
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