gathering clouds; cluster of clouds
Refers to clouds that are clustered or massed together, often in a picturesque or poetic context. Not a technical meteorological term.
Clusters of clouds are spreading across the sky.
夕焼けに叢雲が美しく染まった。
The gathering clouds were beautifully dyed by the sunset.
雲 is the general word for 'cloud'. 叢雲 specifically describes clouds that are clustered or massed together.
入道雲 refers to towering cumulonimbus clouds. 叢雲 is a more general term for any clustered clouds, not specifically thunderheads.
Standard kanji form; also read そううん in some contexts.
Alternate kanji form using 群 (group), emphasizing the clustered nature of clouds.
Kana spelling; useful when the kanji are obscure or to avoid confusion with other readings.
Rare variant; 村 means 'village' but here is used phonetically or as an older spelling.
Compound of 叢 (むら, 'cluster') + 雲 (くも, 'cloud'). The reading そううん is the on'yomi of the same kanji.