They show no significant vertical development, indicating that the temperature in the atmosphere above them either drops off very slowly or not at all with altitude; that is, the environmental lapse rate is small or negative.

Cumulus humilis clouds often have little variance in their depths due to their constrained vertical development.

However, glider pilots actively seek out the rising air to gain altitude.

Larger clouds or possibly thunderstorms could form throughout the day to cause bad or severe weather in the afternoon or evening.

When cumulus humilis appear in a clear sky, they are an indicator of pleasant weather for the next several hours.