What represents the first stage of a thunderstorm?

The first stage of a thunderstorm is the cumulus stage. During this stage, warm, moist air begins to rise and cool, leading to the formation of cumulus clouds. As the moisture continues to rise and condense, it releases latent heat, which fuels the cloud’s growth. This process can lead to the development of a thunderstorm if conditions are favorable, but the cumulus stage itself is primarily characterized by the initial development of the cloud without significant precipitation or electrical activity.

The other stages of a thunderstorm, such as the mature stage and dissipating stage, occur later in the life cycle of the thunderstorm. The mature stage features strong updrafts and downdrafts, heavy rain, and possibly severe weather phenomena like lightning and hail. The dissipating stage follows, where the storm begins to weaken and rainfall decreases as the updrafts diminish. Some terms, such as "voltage stage," do not pertain to the stages of a thunderstorm at all and might be included to distract from the correct response. Thus, recognizing the cumulus stage as the first step in thunderstorm development is essential for understanding the life cycle of these weather phenomena.