At what stage does hail occur in thunderstorms?

Hail is primarily associated with the mature stage of thunderstorms due to the specific conditions that develop during this phase. In the mature stage, updrafts are strong enough to carry water droplets high into the colder regions of the atmosphere where they freeze. This process can create larger pieces of hail as they are repeatedly lifted and dropped within the storm, accumulating layers of ice.

During the developing stage, the storm is still forming, and the updrafts are not yet fully established to support the intense conditions required for hail formation. In the dissipating stage, the storm begins to lose energy and intensity, making hail less likely to occur. Hail is thus not typically formed during these stages, which is why the mature stage is the key phase where hail is produced.