Difference Between Fog and Mist
Last Updated :
12 Jun, 2024
The difference between fog and mist lies in their density and visibility. Fog is denser, reducing visibility to less than 1 kilometre, while mist is lighter, allowing visibility between 1 to 2 kilometres. Fog and Mist both are the results of water droplets present in the atmosphere.
In this article, we will cover the difference between fog and mist in detail.
Difference Between Fog and MistFog
Fog is defined as a thick cloud formed due to water droplets present near the earth's surface. Fog is more denser therefore it is difficult to see the nearby place. Air contains some amount of water. As the air cools and the temperature reaches its dew point, it starts to condense and the fog is formed. Various kinds of fog depend upon the nature of the cooling of water present in the atmosphere.
Air can hold some amount of water. If the air is more warm it can hold more amount of water. As the presence of water vapor increases the humidity also increases. When this humid air moves towards the cool air it starts to cool. As the air becomes cool, it cannot hold the amount of water vapour as the humid air can.
At the dew point air is saturated with moisture, and it begins to condense into small water droplets. These water droplets come together and form an ice-like crystal according to the temperature. This cloud-like crystal near the ground is known as fog.
Types of Fog
Fogs can be of the following types:
- Radiation Fog: When the sun sets the land becomes cool. This cool land thus cools the nearby surrounding the process of thermal transmission. Thus the temperature of the air reduces and the fog is formed. This type of fog is known as radiation fog.
- Ground Fog: The fog that covers less than 40% of the sky is known as ground fog. This type of fog is close to the earth's surface and is similar to radiation fog.
- Freezing Fog: Freezing fog is defined as a type of fog where the water droplets present in the atmosphere are cooler. When this cool water droplet gets in touch with the surface it freezes.
- Evaporating Fog: Evaporating fog is formed when cold air lasses over warmer water or land. This evaporating Fog leads to the formation of frost. Evaporating fog is also known as cold advection fog.
- Ice Fog: Ice fog is defined as a type of fog that consists of small ice crystals present in the air. Ice fogs are present in cold areas. Ice Fog is formed when air is cold and water vapor is present in the air. The air cannot hold water and it turns into small ice crystals.
Mist
Mist is defined as a cloud that is formed by the small water droplets present in the atmosphere. These small water droplets are formed when water warm water present in the atmosphere gets cooled down immediately. Mist is less dense as compared to fog. Mist can dissipate more quickly than Fog. When once mist disappears it then requires more amount of time to form it again.
Mist is mostly seen in the winter season. Mist is formed when both the temperature and humidity conditions are right. Mist is also formed when humid air cools down quickly when air comes in contact with the earth's surface which is cooler than air. Mist can be seen when warm water droplets suddenly cool down. An example of mist is exhaling air in the winter season or cold environment.
Types of Mist
Mist are of the following types:
- Advection Mist: Advection mist is defined as the type of mist when above the cold surface or water surface humid air blows.
- Ground Mist: Ground mist is defined as the type of mist when very warm air rises and then gets cool near the ground surface.
Difference Between Fog and Mist
Fog and mist both are formed by the water droplets present in the atmosphere but they differ with respective to some properties such as duration, visibility, density, reformation, and types. The detailed differences between fog and mist are given below:
Properties
| Fog
| Mist
|
Definition
| Fog is defined as a thick cloud formed due to water droplets present near the earth's surface.
| Mist is defined as a less dense cloud that is formed by the small water droplets present in the atmosphere.
|
Density
| Fog is denser and thicker than mist.
| Mist is less dense and thick than Fog.
|
Visibility
| Fog reduces visibility up to less than one kilometre.
| Mist reduces the visibility up to more than one kilometre.
|
Duration
| Fog does not dissipate quickly as compared to mist because fog is denser.
| The mist dissipates more quickly as it is less dense.
|
Reformation
| Fog can reform more quickly once it has disappeared as compared to mist.
| Mist requires more time for reformation once it has disappeared.
|
Types
| 1. Ground Fog
2. Radiation Fog
3. Freezing Fog
4. Evaporating Fog
5. Ice Fog | 1. Advection Mist
2. Ground Mist |
Conclusion - Difference Between Fog and Mist
Fog and mist are atmospheric phenomena formed by water droplets, with key differences in their density, visibility, and formation. Fog is denser and reduces visibility to less than 1 kilometer, often forming when warm air cools to its dew point. Mist, being less dense, allows visibility up to 2 kilometers and forms under similar conditions but dissipates more quickly. Understanding the types and formation processes of fog and mist helps in distinguishing between these two weather conditions, providing insight into their impact on visibility and the environment.
Other Articles Related to Difference
Similar Reads
Difference between Domain and Server Domain and servers are integral components of web networking. A domain name serves as the address for a website, allowing users to access it by typing a specific URL into their browser. Web hosting, on the other hand, is the service that stores a website's files on a server, making them available on
4 min read
Difference Between Sweat and Sebum The difference between sweat and sebum lies in their composition and functions. The human body consists of two types of glands - sweat glands and sebaceous glands and both are present on the skin surface. Sweat is released by sweat glands and sebum is released by sebaceous glands. This article will
5 min read
Difference Between Ocean, Rivers and Lakes The difference between the oceans, rivers, and lakes is based on the water quality, habitat, and many other factors. Water is found in different forms across the globe: fresh or salty, long and narrow or wide and round, and partially or fully surrounded by land. An ocean is a large water body contai
7 min read
Difference Between Effusion and Diffusion Effusion and diffusion are two important processes related to the movement of gas molecules. Effusion refers to moving gas molecules through a tiny hole from one container to another. The effusion rate is inversely proportional to the square root of the gas's molar mass, as Graham's law of effusion
11 min read
Difference Between Erosion And Weathering Weathering and erosion are both related, but they are distinct processes. Rocks are broken down and moved away from their original location by two processes called weathering and erosion. Erosion is the natural process that occurs on the Earth's crust's surface and Weathering is the process of degra
8 min read
Difference Between Endospore and Exospore Difference Between Endospore and Exospore: Endospores and Exospores both are reproductive and unicellular structures. These structures are formed by bacteria, fungi, and algae. The major difference is endospores are formed inside the mother cell whereas exospores are formed at the end of the mother
3 min read