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

During the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm, a continuous updraft is characteristic. This phase is primarily dominated by the uplift of warm, moist air as it rises, leading to the formation of cumulus clouds. The updraft is a critical feature because it supports the development and growth of the cloud. As air continues to rise, it cools and condenses, forming larger cloud structures that may develop into a mature thunderstorm if conditions allow.

This continuous updraft is essential for the lifecycle of the thunderstorm; it allows for further condensation and cloud growth, and is the foundation from which the storm can evolve into more severe stages, such as the mature stage, where additional phenomena like lightning and downbursts can occur. On its own, the cumulus stage is largely defined by this updraft activity, making it the central feature of that phase in thunderstorm development.