What type of precipitation is typically associated with cumulonimbus clouds?

Cumulonimbus clouds are towering cloud formations often associated with severe weather events. They are capable of producing powerful updrafts, which can lead to intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and sometimes even severe weather phenomena such as hail or tornadoes. The vertical development of cumulonimbus clouds allows them to reach high altitudes, where water vapor can condense rapidly, resulting in heavy precipitation. This is why heavy rain, hail, and the potential for severe weather are characteristic of these clouds.

In contrast, light rain and drizzle are more commonly associated with stratiform clouds, not the vertically developed cumulonimbus. Snow and sleet primarily occur in colder weather conditions, usually with different cloud types. Fog and mist are associated with low-lying clouds or stratus formations that do not produce significant precipitation amounts like cumulonimbus does. Therefore, the association of cumulonimbus clouds with heavy rain, hail, and severe weather makes this the correct choice.