Mist is a thinner cousin of fog. Visibility in mist is reduced but remains greater than one kilometer. The same tiny water droplets are present; they are simply less dense or the layer is shallower.

Mist often forms under conditions similar to fog—clear nights, moist air, and light winds—but does not become thick enough to meet the fog definition. It is common in valleys, near water bodies, and during the transition periods around dawn and dusk.

Drivers still need caution because mist can hide obstacles and make distances hard to judge. It usually clears more readily than dense fog once the sun rises or the wind picks up. In some regions the terms are used loosely in everyday speech, yet official observations maintain the visibility distinction.

Photographers often find mist useful for creating soft, atmospheric images of landscapes.