Definition
Mist is a surface-based suspension of very small water droplets or wet hygroscopic particles in the air that reduces horizontal visibility to between 5/8 statute mile and 6 statute miles. It is reported in a METAR using the code BR.
Plain English
A thin layer of tiny water droplets hanging in the air near the ground that makes it slightly hard to see far, but not as bad as fog. In a weather report it shows up as 'BR'.
Context Anchor
Seen in routine airport weather reports, especially in the present-weather part of a METAR.
Derivation
BR comes from the French word 'brume,' meaning mist. The FAA and ICAO use the French abbreviation in METARs because the international weather code system was standardized using French terms for several weather phenomena.
Why Pilots Care
Mist lowers visibility enough to affect takeoff, landing, and visual flight rules minimums, requiring pilots to check if conditions meet legal and safe operating limits.
Intuition Check
Mist in a weather report does not mean light rain. It means tiny droplets hanging in the air that reduce how far you can see.
Example Sentence 1
The METAR reported 'BR' with visibility of 4 statute miles, so the pilot expected hazy conditions but no major restriction to VFR flight.
Example Sentence 2
BR in the area delayed our VFR departure until the mist lifted and visibility improved past six miles.