No, clouds and mist are not the same. While both are made of tiny water droplets suspended in the air, their key difference lies in their location.
The Defining Difference: Location
- Clouds: Have their base above the Earth's surface. We see them high in the sky.
- Mist: (and fog) Have their base at the Earth's surface, affecting visibility at ground level.
Think of it this way: a cloud is like a fluffy blanket in the sky, while mist is like a thin veil hugging the ground. Both are composed of water droplets, but their position relative to the ground is what distinguishes them. As stated in the reference material, "They both differ from a cloud only in that the base of a fog or a mist is at the earth's surface, while a cloud's is above the surface."
Examples
- Cloud: A cumulus cloud floating high above a mountain.
- Mist: A light layer of moisture obscuring visibility in a valley on a cool morning.
