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 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.

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 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.

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.