What feature is normally associated with the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?

The feature that is normally associated with the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm is continuous updraft. During the cumulus stage, warm, moist air rises and begins to cool as it ascends. This process leads to the development of cumulus clouds. The continuous updraft is critical because it sustains the growth of these clouds, allowing them to develop vertically as more warm air continues to be drawn into the system.

In this stage, the updrafts are generally strong and can lead to further development of the storm. The cumulus stage is characterized predominantly by this vigorous updraft activity, which is essential for the subsequent stages of storm development. As the cumulus stage progresses, it may eventually develop into the mature stage, where other features like downdraft turbulence and well-defined anvils become prominent, but these are not characteristics of the cumulus stage itself. Understanding the role of continuous updrafts helps to grasp how thunderstorms evolve and the dynamics in play during different stages of their life cycle.