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The National Weather Service is predicting thunderstorms with hail and potentially damaging winds in the Flathead and Mission valleys this afternoon, with the strongest storms beginning around 6 p.m.

Multiple waves of thunderstorm activity are forecast through Wednesday evening, developing in the Bitterroot Valley and working north to the Flathead.

Jeff Kitsmiller, a meteorologist with the agency’s office in Missoula, said wind gusts could reach speeds over 50 miles per hour, although sustained winds aren’t likely to produce major waves on Flathead Lake.

While much of the hail will likely drop in the Missoula area, he said damaging wind gusts from thunderstorms this evening are the greatest concern for the Flathead.

“Once you get into the 50s, you start seeing tree and maybe even power-line damage,” Kitsmiller said, adding, “Once it gets up to you guys, it seems like wind is probably the bigger aspect, but we can’t rule out any of those pieces.”

The most intense storms are expected to last until midnight, with rain continuing into Thursday morning.