A cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of Earth, appreciably reducing visibility is called?

Fog is defined as a cloudlike mass or layer of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that forms close to the Earth's surface. It significantly reduces visibility, often creating hazardous driving conditions and affecting outdoor activities. Fog typically forms when the air near the ground cools and condenses, leading to the accumulation of moisture in the form of tiny droplets that float in the air. This phenomenon is particularly common in areas with high humidity and temperature variations, such as coastal regions or in valleys.

Dew refers to moisture that condenses on surfaces overnight but does not form a cloud of droplets suspended in the air, while smog typically consists of air pollution combined with fog, making it a different phenomenon altogether. Steam denotes vapor from boiling water but is not associated with the layer of moisture in the air that characterizes fog. Therefore, fog is the correct term for the described weather condition.