A small thunderstorm cloud with virga falling out of its base and blowing dust at the ground could warn of a severe hazard to an airplane because
A) this could be the first indication of a tornado.
B) it is likely that hail will soon begin to fall.
C) this could indicate an intense downdraft or microburst.
D) the airplane could be struck by lightning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A small thunderstorm cloud with virga falling out of its base and blowing dust at the ground could indicate the presence of an intense downdraft or microburst, which are high-speed downdrafts that can cause significant turbulence and pose a severe hazard to airplane operations. Therefore, it is essential to avoid flying through such clouds. The other choices are not as relevant in this context.

A Small Thunderstorm Cloud with Virga Falling Out of Its