May 8, 2024 brought intense weather from Oklahoma to North Carolina. Some of the most intense hail damage to forests occurred in southern Missouri where reports of golf ball to baseball sized hail were common. Comparison of HiForm's 10m canopy damage, just four days later, with variation in weather radar intensity show congruence. 

At this time of year, areas of different vegetation cover can vary in their vulnerability due to phenological development or physiology. Large hail often damages leaves, but very large hail can damage fine branches and retard the emergence of new leaves. Only persistent impacts will likely affect productivity for part of the growing season.