What type of clouds are typically associated with showers?

Cumuliform clouds are characterized by their vertical development and puffy appearance, resembling cotton balls. They form when warm, moist air rises, which cools and condenses into cloud droplets, leading to shower activity. As these clouds continue to grow vertically, they can develop into cumulonimbus clouds, which are often associated with thunderstorms and heavy rain. Their formation and structure allow them to produce localized showers as they accumulate moisture and release it during precipitation.

While stratiform clouds, nimbostratus clouds, and cirriform clouds also play roles in precipitation, they are more associated with different types of weather phenomena. Stratiform clouds tend to produce steady, light rain rather than showers, while nimbostratus clouds are continuous rain clouds that cover the sky with less vertical development. Cirriform clouds, being high-altitude clouds, typically do not produce precipitation that reaches the ground. Therefore, cumulus clouds are the primary type that indicates the potential for showers.