Cumulus clouds are the iconic image of clouds that we store in our memory. These clouds are what children draw in kindergarten: circular, puffy like pillows and cotton balls, and have round edges.

Unlike other lower clouds like the stratus, Cumulus clouds are concentrated in thick heaps, and display a bright white color. Unlike other clouds too, they are directed vertically, and their shapes are very defined. Cumulus clouds are symbolic of sunny, warm and beautiful days. The predominance of cumulus clouds speak of an explosion of natural colors. As seen in scenic portraits, a weather filled with cumulus clouds heighten the hues of the environment, the greenery, the flowers, the water, the skies vibrating in their perfect visual glory.

Cumulus clouds are low level clouds that can reach up to 8,000 feet in temperate regions, and up to 20,000 feet in mountainous regions. Cumulus clouds eventually can turn into other types of clouds, especially when subjected to changes in atmospheric pressure, humidity, condensation of dust particles, and gradient of temperature.

While cumulus clouds are conventionally associated with beautiful weather, there is a specific type of cumulus clouds that signals an impending storm. This is called the Cumulus congestus. Taking it from the word itself, this is a Cumulus cloud type that displays excessive “congestion”. They look like tall, big, white cabbages and people regard them as a warning on rainy days to come.