Which clouds are linked to continuous precipitation?

Stratiform clouds are characterized by their layered appearance and uniform structure, often covering the sky in extensive sheets. These clouds form when air rises gradually and can lead to continuous and steady precipitation. The type of precipitation associated with stratiform clouds is generally consistent over time, resulting in prolonged rainfall or snowfall events. This sustained precipitation occurs because the clouds are effectively able to retain moisture over larger areas and release it slowly as the moisture condenses.

Cumuliform clouds, on the other hand, are typically associated with showery precipitation rather than continuous rainfall. These clouds form due to strong convection processes and tend to produce brief, intense downpours. Nimbus clouds are types of clouds that are specifically associated with rain, but not all nimbus clouds are stratiform in nature. Cirrus clouds are high, thin clouds that do not produce precipitation, and instead are indicative of fair weather or changing weather conditions. Therefore, stratiform clouds are the type most directly linked to the occurrence of continuous precipitation.