ALTA — There's still a week left in September, but some parts of northern Utah already had to issue winter driving warnings this weekend.
Snowplows were working most of the day in both Big and Little Cottonwood canyons on Sunday. The Alta Marshal's Office cautioned drivers in the morning to be aware of "winter driving conditions" in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
"Plows in canyon. Expect snowy roads. Current temperature 28 degrees. 8 inches new and snowing," Alta tweeted at 10 a.m.
The Utah Department of Transportation also announced Sunday the first gate closure of the season in Summit County. State Route 224, connecting Kimball Junction and Park City, was closed "due to heavy snowfall," according to the department.
"Gate will reopen when crews are able to clear it," UDOT tweeted.
By the afternoon, Guardsman Pass was closed.
The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Winter warning on Sunday,
"Accumulating snow is expected to continue across the higher elevations of northern and central Utah through this evening. Significant accumulations are expected for portions of the Wasatch, Uintas and central Utah mountains, generally above 7,000 feet. Snow may also accumulate in some higher valleys, such as southwest Wyoming and the Wasatch Mountain valleys," the weather service reported.
KSL's meteorologists also warned of a winter weather advisory on Sunday, remaining in effect until Monday morning for the Wasatch Mountains from I-80 north. Motorists were cautioned to expected hazardous driving conditions.
KSL Meteorologist Jodi Saeland said Solituted Ski Resort reported a foot of new snow on Sunday.
The wet weather did not turn to snow in the valley, but rain fell steadily in many areas on Sunday. Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Park City and Holladay all received more than an inch of rain.