Cumulus clouds are a common type of cloud characterized by their distinct, puffy, and generally detached appearance, often described as having flat bases and vertical, dome-like tops. They form through convection, a process where rising pockets of warm, moist air cool and reach saturation at an altitude. This condensation process leads to visible cloud masses that tend to develop vertically as long as the rising air remains buoyant. The classification and growth of these clouds are primarily determined by atmospheric stability and temperature gradients within the troposphere. They represent a fundamental phenomenon in atmospheric physics, signaling the localized uplift and cooling of air masses.