A rectangular tower pierced the morning mist, towering over the city.

[alpacinou]

I want to say a building rises above smog over a city. Can I use "pierce"?

Is this okay?

From the deck of his yacht, he could see the faint outline of the city's skyline. A rectangular tower pierced the morning mist, towering over the city.

 

[Tarheel]

Okay, but is it smog or mist?

 

[alpacinou]

Okay, but is it smog or mist?

I wanted to ask about both.

Is this okay?

From the deck of his yacht, he could see the faint outline of the city's skyline. A rectangular tower pierced the morning mist/smog, towering over the city.

 

[Tarheel]

Yes. In that case the text indicates that the tower rises above the mist (or smog).

 

[tedmc]

What about "pierced through" since the top part is not covered by the mist?

 

[5jj]

Pierce has within itself the idea of going through.