Language of the Day: Hazy Skies
Lately, Vancouver skies haven’t been quite as clear as we normally see in the summer. In fact, this week it was difficult to see the North Shore mountains at all. That’s because the sky has been hazy.
Hazy is an adjective form of the word haze. This describes when there is something in the air that is blocking us from seeing clearly. Hazy is a general term, but in English there are a few more specific words you can use to describe different kinds of hazy skies.
Take a look below for a quick vocabulary lesson on different kinds of hazy skies
Smoke / Smoky:
You might have noticed the skies in Vancouver becoming a bit smoky lately. That’s because smoke from wildfires across British Columbia is making it’s way through the air towards us. When the sky is full of smoke, the sun often turns a bright red colour.
Fog / Foggy:
When warm water in the air cools quickly, the water droplets change from invisible to something we can see. This is called fog. The condition is called being foggy. This type of weather is common in the fall, and while it can be very beautiful, it’s also quite dangerous for drivers in cars.
Smog / Smoggy:
Smog is the only word on this list that does not describe a natural weather. In fact, smog is pollution from human activity like cars, factories, etc. The word smog is a portmanteau (a combination of two words ). The words smoke and fog were combined to create this new word, when smoggy weather became more common at the end of the 19th century.
Mist / Misty:
Like fog, mist is just water vapour suspended in the air. However, misty weather usually doesn’t cause any problems with vision. You’re most likely to see mist coming off of large bodies of water like lakes or the ocean.