In some early autumn mornings, you may have noticed that outside looks like a cloud fell to the ground and that you can’t see what’s in front of you. The two words that might come to mind are mist and fog.

Mist and fog are two types of water condensation, but they are distinct from one another.

First, the density: fog is denser than mist, which causes it to stay closer to the ground and makes it harder to see through. Mist, on the other hand, is a cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the air.

Next, the visibility and durability: mist allows a person to see more than 1000m and up to 8km. Fog, on the other hand, more strongly obscures vision and allows you to see less than 1000m in front of you. Fog can last longer for minutes and even hours, unlike mist, which can dissipate faster than fog.

Fog also tends to have more effects compared to mist. Heavy fog can cause many transportation issues. Since mist doesn’t last for a long time and doesn’t affect vision as much as fog, it isn’t a big issue. Fog can delay flights, cause road accidents, and even cause many issues at sea.

There is a solution to these issues, and it’s just to be seen or let people around you know your presence. When on the road, some lights are especially made to allow you to be seen by other drivers. Hikers and cyclists wear bright, reflective clothing so drivers or other people can see them and prevent accidents.