What type of weather does cumulonimbus clouds typically indicate?

Cumulonimbus clouds are a significant indicator of severe weather conditions, particularly thunderstorms and turbulent atmospheric activity. These towering clouds develop vertically and are associated with strong updrafts and downdrafts, which can lead to severe turbulence. Within a cumulonimbus cloud, you can also find intense precipitation, hail, and even lightning, all of which are typical characteristics of thunderstorms.

The formation of these clouds signifies instability in the atmosphere, which contrasts sharply with the conditions suggested by the other options. Stable, clear weather typically involves stratified cloud types or cirrus clouds, which do not indicate the dynamic and potentially hazardous conditions brought about by cumulonimbus clouds. Calm and hazy conditions are usually represented by stratocumulus or layer clouds, which do not hold the severity of thunderstorm activity. Fog is usually associated with specific low-lying clouds that reduce visibility but does not correlate with the towering and expansive nature of cumulonimbus clouds. Thus, the presence of cumulonimbus clouds effectively signals the likelihood of severe turbulence and thunderstorms.