Mist
Topic: Water in the Atmosphere: Humidity, Condensation, Clouds and Precipitation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 10 "Water in the Atmosphere"
Meaning
Mist is a thin fog of tiny water droplets hanging in the air. Visibility in mist is between 1 and 2 km. It is common over mountains, where warm air rising up the slopes meets a cold surface and its vapour condenses. Class 11 NCERT says mist "contains more moisture than fog". Standard usage treats fog as the denser of the two, and that is the safer view for the exam.
Example
On many mornings, the slopes of the Himalaya are wrapped in a light mist. Warm, moist air rising from the valleys cools against the colder hillsides.
Don't confuse with
- Fog: it is denser and cuts visibility below 1 km. Mist is thinner, with visibility of 1–2 km.