Is it goodbye Summer, hello Fall around Lake Tahoe this week?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It is September 17 and the forecast for the week ahead includes the word "upper elevation snow." Some may think it's too early, while others dream of the slopes around Lake Tahoe opening.

Temperatures will remain seasonably mild to start off the week before a strong cold front approaches mid-week which could yield gusty winds, widespread showers, and much cooler weather, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Temperatures will plummet by Thursday and Friday with highs dipping 10-15 degrees below average. This could result in high temperatures only in the mid to upper 60s on Wednesday across Western Nevada with mid to upper 50s for Sierra valleys. Freezes/frost are a real possibility for Sierra valleys as early as Thursday morning through Saturday morning.

The approaching cold front will also increase winds on Wednesday which could lead to southwesterly gusts in the 25-35 mph range and locally higher across wind-prone locations. As the low tracks across the region on Thursday expect widespread unstable conditions with showers/isolated thunderstorms (even some light snow for the high Sierra as snow levels fall as low as 8000-8500 feet). Drier conditions will prevail through the weekend with warming, yet seasonably cool conditions expected.

The South Lake Tahoe forecast from NWS Reno:

Monday - Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming north in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night - Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind, becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 70. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night - A 20 percent chance of showers after 11 pm. Mostly clear, with a low of around 37.

Thursday - A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Snow level 9000 feet. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Thursday Night - A slight chance of showers before 11 pm. Snow level 8900 feet lowering to 8100 feet after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 33.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 63.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.