Cumulus

Cumulus (Cu; Latin for heap) is a common genus of cloud which is formed by the rising of pockets of warm air and which has the appearance of a heap of cloud rising from a horizontal base. The cumulus cloud is commonly described as looking like a cotton ball or as "fluffy". Most of the time, cumulus clouds have a solid white colour, but some "towering" cumulus clouds can become dark. Cumulus congestus clouds can develop into cumulonimbus calvus clouds and thence into cumulonimbus incus clouds; each of these is capable of generating storms and showers.

Cumulus clouds were first described by Luke Howard in 1802 as "convex or conical heaps, increasing upwards from a horizontal base - wool bag clouds".

Subtypes
Cumulus fractus

Cumulus humilis

Cumulus mediocris

Cumulus congestus

Cumulus radiatus

Cumulus velum

Cumulus virga

Cumulus praecipitatio