Which type of cloud typically forms under conditions of vertical development?

Cumulus clouds are known for their vertical development, which occurs under conditions of atmospheric instability. These clouds typically begin as small, white, puffy shapes and can grow upward into larger formations as warm air rises and cools at higher altitudes. The process of convection is crucial here: as warm air rises, it expands and cools, potentially leading to significant vertical growth if the conditions are right. This characteristic distinguishes cumulus clouds from other types that tend to spread horizontally with less vertical development.

Stratus clouds, on the other hand, typically form as a result of stable atmospheric conditions and tend to create a uniform layer that covers the sky without significant vertical height. Nimbostratus clouds, while they do bring precipitation, also lack the vertical depth associated with cumulus clouds and primarily extend horizontally. Cirrus clouds form high in the atmosphere from ice crystals and generally do not exhibit vertical development, instead appearing wispy and thin. Thus, cumulus clouds are the cloud type that most clearly demonstrates vertical development in the atmosphere.