The primary difference between drizzle and mist lies in the size of the water droplets and whether or not they fall to the ground; drizzle consists of fine, closely spaced water droplets that do fall, while mist is composed of even tinier water particles suspended in the air that do not fall.
Key Distinctions Between Drizzle and Mist
Here's a breakdown of the differences:
| Feature | Drizzle | Mist |
|---|---|---|
| Droplet Size | Fine drops (less than 0.02 inches) | Minute particles |
| Precipitation | Falls to the ground | Does not fall to the ground |
| Visibility Reduction | Can reduce visibility | Reduces visibility to less than 7 miles |
| Density | Can be denser than mist | Generally less dense than drizzle |
Explanation of Differences
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Droplet Size: Drizzle consists of tiny water droplets, but they are still larger than those found in mist. The National Weather Service specifies that drizzle droplets are less than 0.02 inches in diameter. Mist, on the other hand, is composed of extremely fine water particles.
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Precipitation: This is the most crucial difference. Drizzle falls as a light rain. Mist, however, is essentially water vapor that has condensed into tiny particles suspended in the air, so it does not precipitate.
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Visibility: Both mist and drizzle reduce visibility. Mist is officially defined as reducing visibility to less than 7 miles. Drizzle can also reduce visibility depending on its intensity.
In simpler terms, imagine mist as a very light fog hanging in the air. Drizzle is like a very light, fine rain.
