What atmospheric condition typically promotes the formation of haze?

Haze is typically formed under atmospheric conditions characterized by calm winds and high humidity. When winds are calm, there is little to no turbulence in the air, which allows pollutants, moisture, and particulate matter to settle close to the ground. This particulate matter can include dust, smoke, and other microscopic particles that scatter light, leading to the appearance of haze.

High humidity plays a key role as well; when the air is saturated with moisture, it can facilitate the condensation of water vapor onto the particulate matter, allowing for the formation of tiny droplets that contribute to the haze. In this scenario, the combination of calm conditions and moisture prevents the dispersion of these particles, exacerbating the haze effect.

In contrast, high temperatures combined with low humidity can lead to different atmospheric outcomes, such as thermal inversions that may not necessarily promote haze formation. Enhanced mixing of air layers typically disperses pollutants rather than allowing them to accumulate, while cool temperatures with high humidity would likely lead to fog rather than haze. Haze specifically requires a certain stillness in the atmosphere and sufficient humidity for the pollutants to accumulate and create the observed visual effect.