Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus clouds are one of the most common and recognizable types of clouds. They are often described as puffy, cotton-like or cauliflower-shaped clouds. Cumulus clouds typically have a flat base with the top of the cloud billowing upwards, and they can grow to be very tall. They generally form due to convection when warm air rises, cools, and condenses at a certain height in the atmosphere. Cumulus clouds are usually associated with fair weather, but when they grow large, they can evolve into cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with thunderstorms and severe weather. The term ‘cumulus’ is Latin for ‘heap’ or ‘pile’, describing their heaped-up appearance.