Mist

Mist is a suspension of tiny liquid-water droplets in air that reduces horizontal visibility less than fog does. It forms when moist air cools or gains water vapor until droplets condense.

Condensation: The change of a gas into a liquid when molecules lose enough energy or reach saturation. Mist begins when water vapor condenses into suspended droplets.
Radiation fog: Fog formed when the ground loses heat by radiation, cooling the air above it to saturation. The same overnight cooling process can produce shallow mist when visibility remains higher.
Visibility: The distance at which an object can be seen and recognized under prevailing atmospheric conditions. Visibility measurements distinguish mist from fog and determine its practical effects.
Haze: Reduced atmospheric clarity caused mainly by suspended dry particles or pollutants. Haze can reduce visibility like mist, but its suspended material is chiefly dry.
Dew point: The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor at a given pressure. Cooling air to its dew point can trigger the condensation that forms mist.
Advection fog: Fog formed when moist air moves horizontally over a colder surface and cools to saturation. Air crossing cold ground or water can create mist through horizontal cooling.
Meteorological observation: The systematic measurement and reporting of atmospheric conditions. Weather stations classify mist from observed visibility and present weather.
Drizzle: Precipitation consisting of fine liquid-water drops that fall slowly from low clouds. Drizzle droplets are falling precipitation rather than droplets suspended near the ground.
Nucleation: The initial formation of a new phase around microscopic clusters or particles. Water droplets often begin growing around aerosol particles suspended in the air.
Evaporation fog: Fog formed when water evaporates into cooler air, raising its moisture content to saturation. Warm water beneath cold air can supply the vapor that generates mist.

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