Fog and haze both reduce visibility, but they differ significantly in their composition. Fog is made up of tiny liquid water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air, close to the ground. Haze, on the other hand, consists of dry solid particles like dust, smoke, or pollutants.
Key Differences Between Fog and Haze:
- Composition: Fog is water-based (liquid or ice), while haze is composed of dry particles.
- Visibility: Both reduce visibility, but fog generally causes more significant impairment than haze. Thick fog can reduce visibility to near zero, whereas haze typically leads to a more moderate reduction.
- Formation: Fog forms when water vapor condenses near the ground due to cooling or increased humidity. Haze is caused by the accumulation of solid particles in the air, often from pollution or natural sources like dust storms.
- Appearance: Fog appears as a white or grayish cloud near the ground. Haze often creates a slightly blurry or hazy appearance, sometimes with a yellowish or brownish tint due to the particles present.
Unlike fog, which is composed of liquid or frozen water particles, haze is a condition in which the air's lower layer, closest to the surface, contains a high concentration of solid and dry particles that remain suspended for an extended duration. This key difference in composition directly impacts their visual effects and how they impact visibility.
Examples:
- Fog: A thick fog rolling in from the ocean, reducing visibility on a highway.
- Haze: A hazy sky caused by wildfire smoke reducing visibility across a city.
