Which of the following describes the characteristics of cumulus clouds?

Cumulus clouds are characterized by their fluffy and white appearance, often resembling cotton balls. These clouds typically exhibit vertical development, meaning they can grow tall and develop substantial vertical extent. This vertical growth is due to rising warm air, which causes the cloud to expand upward. As a result, cumulus clouds are commonly seen in fair weather and can sometimes develop into larger storm clouds if conditions allow.

The other cloud types mentioned have distinctive characteristics that set them apart from cumulus. Thin and wispy clouds are typically cirrus clouds, which are high, delicate, and appear more feathery than cumulus clouds. Layered and gray clouds refer to stratus or nimbostratus clouds, characterized by their uniform appearance and tendency to cover the sky, leading to overcast conditions. Lastly, clouds described as low and uniform in appearance better align with stratocumulus clouds, which are typically low and look like flat sheets rather than the puffy formations seen in cumulus clouds.