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Cumulus
Puffy, cotton-like clouds with flat bases.
Cumulus clouds are detached clouds with clearly defined, flat bases and puffy, cauliflower-like upper parts. They are generally fair weather clouds but can grow into larger storm clouds like cumulonimbus.
Formation
Formed by convection, where warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses. Their flat bases mark the lifting condensation level.
Altitude
Low to Middle (1,000 - 20,000 feet / 300 - 6,000 meters)
Precipitation
Generally none, but larger cumulus (cumulus congestus) can produce light showers.
Visual Characteristics
- Detached, individual cloud units.
- Bright white sunlit tops, darker flat bases.
- Sharp outlines when viewed from the side.
- Vary in size from small 'fair weather cumulus' to larger, towering forms.
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