Which type of cloud is associated with thunderstorms?

Cumulonimbus clouds are the type of clouds most commonly associated with thunderstorms. These clouds are large, towering, and often characterized by a flat, anvil-shaped top. They develop through strong updrafts of warm, moist air, which creates the necessary conditions for storm development. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, forming the dense, vertically-developed structure of cumulonimbus clouds.

These clouds are capable of producing severe weather phenomena, including heavy rain, lightning, hail, and even tornadoes. The presence of cumulonimbus clouds often serves as a sign that atmospheric instability is high, which can lead to the development of thunderstorms and severe weather events.

In contrast, cirrus clouds are high-level clouds composed of ice crystals and are typically associated with fair weather, while stratus clouds form thick, gray layers that can bring light rain but are not usually linked to thunderstorms. Nimbostratus clouds are also characterized by their ability to produce steady, continuous precipitation, but they do not have the vertical development or the associated severe weather phenomena that cumulonimbus clouds do. Thus, the association of cumulonimbus clouds with thunderstorms is due to their unique characteristics and the dynamics that drive severe weather.