What cloud type forms through vertical development and can lead to thunderstorms?

The cloud type that forms through vertical development and is associated with thunderstorms is cumulonimbus. Cumulonimbus clouds are characterized by their towering structure and significant vertical growth, reaching high into the atmosphere. These clouds are capable of producing severe weather phenomena, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hail, and even tornadoes.

Cumulonimbus clouds develop as warm, moist air rises and cools, creating strong updrafts that contribute to their vertical growth. As these clouds develop, they can create the conditions necessary for electrical activity and severe weather events, making them a crucial element in understanding storm formation.

In contrast, nimbostratus clouds are typically low, thick clouds that cover the sky, producing steady, light to moderate precipitation but do not show the vertical development necessary for thunderstorms. Cumuliform refers to a broad category that includes various cloud types, mainly cumulus clouds, which also do not have the same potential for severe weather as cumulonimbus clouds. Cirrus clouds are high-altitude, wispy clouds that do not have vertical development and are not associated with thunderstorms. Therefore, cumulonimbus is clearly the correct choice for a cloud type that leads to thunderstorms.