Difference Between Fog and Mist

Fog and Mist both are the results of water droplets present in the atmosphere. These water droplets present in the atmosphere are due to various reasons such as changes in temperature, humidity, and rainy atmosphere. The process required for the formation of fog and mist is the same but they are not the same and differ with respect to some properties. In the presence of both the fog and mist atmosphere is cool, watery, and invisible till some miles. Fogs and mist are mostly seen in winter and rainy seasons and at places near water resources.

Difference Between Fog and Mist

Fog and mist both are formed by the water droplets present in the atmosphere but they differ with respect to some properties such as duration, visibility, density, reformation, and Types. Fog is more dense whereas mist is less dense. Fog does not dissipate quickly as compared to mist. The detailed difference between Fog and mist is given below.

Parameter	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 more dense and thick than mist.	Mist is less dense and thick than Fog.
Visibility	Fog reduces visibility up to less than one kilometer.	Mist reduces the visibility up to more than one kilometer.
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

Fog

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 temperature reach to its dew point, it starts to condense and the fog is formed. There are various kinds of fog that depend upon the nature of the cooling of water present in the atmosphere.

Formation of Fog

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 vapor as the humid air can. At the dew point air is saturated with moisture, it begins to condense into small tiny 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Formation of Mist

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:

1. Advection Mist: Advection mist is defined as the type of mist when above the cold surface or water surface humid air blows.
2. Ground Mist: Ground mist is defined as the type of mist when very warm air rises and then gets cool near the ground surface.

FAQs on Fog and Mist

Q: Is Haze the same as that fog and mist?

Answer:

No, Haze is only the small very tiny particles that make the atmosphere cloudy.

Q: Is fog harmful to health?

Answer:

Yes, breathing in fog is harmful as the atmosphere there is very cool and can affect the lungs and heart.

Q: Does fog consists of bacteria?

Answer:

Fog carries more than 90% of bacteria. These bacteria are present during the presence o fog and even after the fog disappears.

Q: Does oxygen level increases or decrease during the presence of fog?

Answer:

During the formation of fog, the humidity of air increases due to which there is a decrease in the oxygen level during fog.