PORTLAND -- An early winter storm dumped 13 inches of new snow at Timberline Monday, bringing the weekend total to 19 new inches.

It’s a sign of things to come; as the calendar changes so, too, does Oregon’s weather.

A snowy weekend on Mount Hood provided just a hint of the weather headed this way in coming months, an early start to what many are hoping will be another outstanding season.

Sunday brought the first real snowfall of the season at Timberline.

"We wanted to be the first ones to experience it -- be the first ones here,” said Ryan Wolfe, who brought his Labrador, Loopy, to play fetch with snowballs.

Judy Endresen-Worthy from south Florida was also here, hoping to catch a glimpse of winter. 

"This is really exciting! I'm from Stuart, Fla., and I haven't seen snow in so long. I love it!” she said.

Snowy conditions actually caught Endresen-Worthy and her friends by surprise; they weren’t really dressed for it.

Flakes started falling early Sunday morning. Slowly, this heavy, wet snow will accumulate, building the necessary base for skiing. The two-plus inches that fell this weekend won’t be enough to open the lower lifts, though.

Yet some are determined to take advantage.

Jon Tullis, marketing director for Timberline Lodge, says he’s not making any predictions for the ski season, yet, but hopes it will compare to last year.

Many describe last year’s snowfall as “epic.” Timberline opened the lower lifts on Nov. 20, a few days later than their historic average of Nov. 15.

"I'm not making any predictions but I'm thinking we're on track for that. And the forecasts we're watching are calling for a good early winter snap for winter and an early ski season," Tullis said.

Tullis reminds those heading up to the mountain that a SnoPark permit is required two weeks sooner this year than last. The parking permits went into effect Nov. 1 this season.

But hope is in the air, along with the snow, as many look at this first snowfall as an indicator of what’s in store on Mount Hood.

Government Camp also received six inches of new snow Monday, with accumulations of about a half-foot at the Highway 26 pass as well.

The Willamette Pass saw about five inches of new snow Monday, while Santiam Pass received five inches, too.

Six to eight inches of new snow could fall on and around Mount Hood, according to KGW Meteorologist Dave Salesky.

Studded tires were legal for use on roads effective this weekend -- and it’s going to be a snowy week in the Cascades.

A Pacific weather system will move through southwest Washington and northwest Oregon early this week, bringing with it increasing accumulation, particularly at elevations above 5,000 feet.

Additional snowfall in mountain pass areas could affect travel.

Brisk winds could cause blowing snow.