What type of weather is typically associated with cumulonimbus clouds?

Cumulonimbus clouds are towering, vertical clouds commonly associated with severe weather, particularly thunderstorms. These clouds are formed in unstable atmospheric conditions where warm, moist air rises rapidly, creating strong updrafts. As the air continues to rise, it cools and condenses to form the cloud, which can extend high into the atmosphere.

During the development of cumulonimbus clouds, they can produce intense weather phenomena. Notably, they often lead to heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and sometimes even hail, making thunderstorms a typical outcome of their presence. The strong upward motion within these clouds can create powerful downdrafts as well, contributing to severe thunderstorm characteristics.

The other options do not align with the nature of cumulonimbus clouds. For instance, clear skies or sunny days would not be associated with their formation, as those conditions describe stable weather patterns, while light rain would indicate less intense cloud formations, rather than the severe conditions linked with cumulonimbus clouds. Thus, the connection between cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms is clear, reflecting the storms' dynamic and often severe nature.