Which cloud type is typically thick, fluffy, and white?

Prepare for the GACE Middle Grades Science Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Cumulus clouds are recognized for their distinct thick, fluffy appearance, often resembling cotton balls. These clouds typically appear in fair weather conditions and have a bright white color due to the way they reflect sunlight. Cumulus clouds form in a vertical manner, growing upward, which contributes to their puffy, towering look. They develop when warm air rises and cools, allowing moisture to condense and create these characteristic shapes. The presence of well-defined edges and a robust body makes them easily identifiable and is a hallmark feature of cumulus cloud formations. In contrast, other cloud types such as stratus clouds (which are more uniform and layered), cirrus clouds (which are thin and wispy), and nimbus clouds (which are associated with precipitation but can also be thick) do not exhibit the same fluffy, white characteristics that define cumulus clouds.

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