In Apple’s Weather app on iPhone, a cloud with two horizontal lines under it means fog. The lines represent low-hanging mist near the ground, so expect reduced visibility during the hours that show the icon. It doesn’t mean rain; rain icons use slanted lines or drops falling from the cloud.
Fog has its own symbol, separate from haze, which Apple also lists as a distinct condition. If you’re ever unsure what an icon means, the Weather app shows the condition in words at the top of the screen, and Apple publishes a guide to every symbol. Both are explained below, along with the other icons people most often mix up.
Quick Answer
- A cloud with two horizontal lines below it is Apple Weather’s fog symbol.
- Fog means water droplets hanging in the air at ground level, which lowers visibility.
- To confirm, open the Weather app and read the condition name under the current temperature.
- If you’re driving, slow down and use low-beam headlights when visibility is poor.
In This Guide
- Which app and devices this covers
- How to check what a weather icon means
- Fog vs. haze vs. mist
- Other common Apple Weather icons
- What to do when fog is forecast
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which App and Devices This Covers
This guide is about the built-in Weather app on iPhone, including current iOS versions such as iOS 26, as of September 2026. The Weather app on iPad and Mac uses a similar set of symbols. Apple lists them in Learn the weather icons on iPhone and, for Mac, in Symbols used in Weather on Mac.
Other weather apps, widgets from TV stations, and car dashboards draw their own icons. A cloud with lines usually means fog in those too, but the design can differ, so check that app’s legend if you’re not using Apple Weather.
How to Check What a Weather Icon Means
You don’t have to guess. The Weather app spells out the current conditions in words.
- Open the Weather app on your iPhone.
- Look under the big temperature at the top of the screen. Expected result: You see a short description such as Foggy, Cloudy, or Clear, along with the day’s high and low.
- Scroll to the hourly forecast. Swipe left along the row of hours to see when the fog symbol starts and stops.
- Tap the hourly or 10-day forecast to open more detail. Expected result: A detailed view opens where you can check conditions for each day. The exact layout can vary by iOS version.
- Compare with Apple’s icon guide if a symbol is still unclear. Open the Learn the weather icons page linked above and match the shape.
If you use the Weather app for a place other than where you are, make sure you’re looking at the right city. Our guide on setting a default city in the iPhone Weather app explains how the location list works.
Fog vs. Haze vs. Mist
These conditions all make the air look cloudy near the ground, but they have different causes. Apple’s Weather app shows separate symbols for fog and haze.
| Condition | What it is | How it usually looks in Apple Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Fog | Tiny water droplets suspended in the air at ground level | Cloud with horizontal lines underneath |
| Haze | Very fine dry particles, like dust or pollution, that make the sky look milky and dull colors | Sun with horizontal lines (design may vary) |
| Mist | A thinner version of fog with better visibility | No separate symbol in Apple’s list; light mist may appear as fog |
The US National Weather Service defines fog as water droplets suspended in the air at the Earth’s surface and notes it’s often hazardous when visibility drops to a quarter mile or less. Haze, by contrast, is made of very fine particles that give the air an opalescent look. In short: fog is wet and can get very thick; haze is dry and usually lighter.
Fog often forms overnight and early in the morning, especially in valleys and near lakes, rivers, or the coast, and it usually clears as the day warms. That’s why you’ll often see the fog icon only in the early hours of the hourly forecast.
Other Common Apple Weather Icons
Apple’s symbol list includes these conditions. The shape descriptions below are the ones people most often ask about; check Apple’s guide for the exact artwork.
- Clear or mostly clear: a sun during the day, a moon at night.
- Partly cloudy: a sun or moon partly behind a cloud.
- Cloudy or mostly cloudy: a cloud on its own.
- Fog: a cloud with horizontal lines under it.
- Haze: a separate symbol from fog for dry, hazy air.
- Windy or breezy: curved lines that look like gusts of air.
- Drizzle or freezing drizzle: a cloud with a few small drops.
- Rain and heavy rain: a cloud with falling drops or slanted lines; more lines means heavier rain.
- Thunderstorm: a cloud with a lightning bolt.
- Snow and heavy snow or blizzard: a cloud with snowflakes.
- Freezing rain, sleet, or wintry mix: a cloud with a mix of drops and ice.
- Sunrise and sunset: a half sun on the horizon with an arrow.
The easy way to tell fog from rain: fog lines are flat and horizontal, while rain falls at an angle or as drops. If you also want these conditions at a glance without opening the app, see our guide to adding weather to your iPhone Lock Screen.
What to Do When Fog Is Forecast
Fog is usually harmless if you’re at home, but it matters if you’re driving, cycling, or flying.
- Allow extra time for morning commutes when the hourly forecast shows fog.
- Drive slower and leave more distance to the car ahead.
- Use low-beam headlights, not high beams, which reflect off the fog and make it harder to see. Use fog lights if your car has them and local rules allow it.
- Check for advisories. In the US, the National Weather Service issues a Dense Fog Advisory when fog reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less over a wide area. The Weather app can show severe weather alerts in supported regions.
- Check later hours. Fog often lifts by late morning, so delaying a trip can help.
Troubleshooting
The icon shows fog, but it looks clear outside
Forecasts cover an area, not your exact street, and fog can be patchy. Check the location at the top of the Weather screen and the time in the hourly row. Fog may be forecast for later or may already have lifted.
I don’t see a condition name under the temperature
Pull down to refresh, or close and reopen the Weather app. Make sure you’re connected to the internet, since the app needs a connection to update.
The icon looks different from the ones in this guide
Apple occasionally redesigns its symbols, and third-party apps use their own. Check Apple’s current icon guide, or the legend in the app you’re using.
My Lock Screen widget shows a different icon than the app
Widgets can refresh less often than the app. Open the Weather app to get the latest conditions, and the widget should catch up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a cloud with two lines under it mean on iPhone?
It’s the fog symbol in Apple’s Weather app. It means reduced visibility from water droplets hanging near the ground.
Is the cloud with lines a rain icon?
No. Rain icons show drops or slanted lines falling from the cloud. Flat horizontal lines under a cloud mean fog.
What’s the difference between the fog and haze icons?
They’re separate symbols. Fog is caused by water droplets and can make visibility very poor. Haze is caused by dry particles such as dust or pollution.
Does the fog icon mean it’s dangerous to drive?
Not always, but it’s a reason to be careful. Visibility can drop quickly in fog, so slow down, use low beams, and check for fog advisories.
Where can I see all of Apple’s weather icons?
Apple’s Learn the weather icons on iPhone guide lists them all, and the Mac version of the Weather app has its own symbols page.
Why does the fog icon only show in the morning?
Fog often forms overnight when the air cools and then clears as the sun warms things up, so it’s most common in the early hours.
Summary
- A cloud with two horizontal lines under it means fog in Apple’s Weather app.
- Fog is water droplets at ground level that reduce visibility; haze is a separate, drier condition with its own icon.
- Read the condition name under the temperature, or check the hourly forecast, to confirm.
- Rain icons use drops or slanted lines; fog lines are flat.
- Drive carefully and use low beams when fog is forecast.
Next step: Open the Weather app, check the hourly row for the fog symbol, and plan extra travel time for those hours.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.