The difference between fog and mist is defined according to the density of the cloud. If the visibility through the cloud is less than 1 km (0.6 miles), it is described as fog. If it is between 1 km and 2 km (0.6 and 1.25 miles), it is called mist.
Fog and Mist, both are clouds made up of condensed water vapour, i.e. water droplets, hanging in the atmosphere at the surface of the earth, which restricts visibility to some extent. In spite of having similar composition, there are subtle differences between fog and mist which lies in the density and extent to which the visibility is reduced. Fog is denser in comparison to mist, and so it has a greater impact on visibility, i.e. the former limits visibility to nearly one kilometre, but the latter restricts visibility to more than a kilometre.
The points given below are substantial, so far as the difference between fog and mist is concerned:
A thick, low-lying cloud, which occurs at the earth’s surface, that is composed of tiny water droplets, suspended in the air, is known as Fog. Mist is defined as the cloud created when water globules are suspended in the air due to change in humidity or temperature inversion.
Fog and mist greatly differ regarding density, as fog is much denser than mist, i.e. fog creates an opaque sheet that blurs visibility.
Fog obscures visibility to a greater extent than mist i.e. in the case of fog visibility is restricted to below one kilometer. Unlike mist, wherein visibility remains above one kilometre.
When it comes to longevity, mist lasts for short duration and tends to disappear quicker, with slight winds. On the contrary, fog lasts for several minutes or even hours and do not dissipate easily.
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