What is the main factor that affects visibility in haze?

Visibility in haze is primarily affected by the presence of smoke or dust in the atmosphere. Haze is essentially an aerosol suspension of small particles, which can include pollutants, dust, and smoke, that scatter and absorb light. This scattering diminishes clarity and significantly reduces visibility.

In conditions of haze, while factors such as humidity, wind, and temperature can contribute to the overall atmospheric conditions, it is really the particulate matter present in the air that directly influences how light travels through the atmosphere. Smoke can come from various sources, including wildfires, industrial emissions, or even domestic fireplaces, while dust may result from dry conditions or human activities such as construction or agriculture.

Although high humidity can create conditions conducive to haze formation, it is the particles suspended in the air that have the most direct impact on visibility. Calm winds can exacerbate haze by preventing the dispersion of these particles, and low temperatures can play a role in how moisture is held in the air, but again, these factors do not influence visibility as directly as the presence of particulate matter itself. Thus, the main factor affecting visibility in haze is the presence of smoke or dust.