Foggy vs. Misty — What's the Difference?

Foggy weather is characterized by very low visibility due to dense water droplets suspended in the air at ground level, often leading to difficulty in seeing more than a few hundred meters ahead. Whereas, misty conditions are marked by finer, less dense moisture particles, allowing for better visibility, usually up to a couple of kilometers. Mist tends to dissipate more quickly than fog and does not usually result in the same level of navigational challenges.

Fog often forms during the night and can last into the morning or, in some cases, persist throughout the day, especially in coastal or mountainous areas. On the other hand, mist usually occurs after rain or in the early morning and generally clears up with the rising sun or a slight increase in temperature. While fog can significantly affect travel and outdoor activities, mist primarily creates a light, damp covering over surfaces and a slight chill in the air but seldom impedes visibility to a dangerous extent.

Meteorologically, fog is considered when visibility is reduced to less than 1 kilometer, while mist reduces visibility to greater than 1 kilometer but less than 2 kilometers. This technical distinction underscores the greater impact of fog on visibility compared to mist. Furthermore, fog is more likely to form in conditions of near 100% humidity and is influenced by geographic features that can trap moisture, such as valleys and water bodies, whereas mist can form more broadly under a variety of conditions.

Photographically and aesthetically, fog and mist both add a mysterious or ethereal quality to landscapes, but they do so in different ways. Fog envelops scenes in a dense blanket, often obscuring backgrounds entirely and creating a sense of isolation or introspection. Mist, however, softly blurs the surroundings, enhancing colors and shapes with a delicate veil, thereby contributing to a serene and tranquil atmosphere.