Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus clouds are generally low clouds and known as "fair weather" clouds unless they begin to show vertical development. If vertical development is shown, cumulonimbus or rain clouds can form.

Other varieties include:

Cumulus humilis

Cumulus with vertical development

These usually indicate the formation of cumulus congestus or cumulonimbus clouds which bring afternoon showers.

Cumulus congestus

If these form from SW to NW expect precipitation with gusty winds and thunderstorms or wind squalls within 5 to 10 hours.

Cumulus congestus

Here the cloud top forms altocumulus clouds and also bring wind gusts, thunder showers, and wind squalls within 5 to 10 hours.

Cumulus congestus

Cumulus congestus with fracto stratus of bad weather

This mixture of cloud types indicate long periods of precipitation if winds from NE to S. Other wind directions bring shorter durations of precipitation.

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