Winter Tire Planner
Your on and off windows, computed from the 45F threshold in the 30-year climate record at your nearest station. Below it, how winter tires are treated in the United States and where the road rules actually bite.
Both dates, every year, with a one-week reminder.
First snow watch: Track incoming snow on the radar and check the work windows for your place on the Weather page.
Winter tires and the law in the US
Check route-specific equipment rules
The dates above are climate-based planning guidance, not a statement of the law. Requirements depend on the state, road, conditions, and equipment. Colorado may activate traction or chain laws on specific highways, while Alaska regulates when studded tires may be used.
Before travel, check the state transportation department for your route and current conditions:Colorado traction and chain lawsand Alaska studded-tire rules.
Reference windows for major cities
Computed from each city’s own station normals. Your town’s dates may differ; use the planner above for your exact place.
| City | Tires on by | Off after | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | NY | November 30 | March 19 |
| Chicago | IL | November 9 | March 29 |
| Philadelphia | PA | November 25 | March 18 |
| Atlanta | GA | December 19 | February 3 |
| Seattle | WA | November 28 | February 22 |
| Denver | CO | November 5 | March 30 |
| Boston | MA | November 16 | April 3 |
| Portland | OR | November 24 | February 25 |
| Minneapolis | MN | October 23 | April 12 |
| Detroit | MI | November 2 | April 11 |
| Nashville | TN | December 7 | February 19 |
| Charlotte | NC | December 17 | February 6 |
| Anchorage | AK | September 27 | May 1 |
Method: monthly mean daily temperature normals anchored mid-month, linear interpolation across 45F. Full notes on the methodology page.
Field notes
The dates above are the 30-year average. This is the winter people nearby are actually having. Add what you are seeing, read what your neighbours saw.
Set your place above to read and add notes for your town.
No notes here yet. If you garden or live nearby, be the first.
Questions, answered plainly
When should winter tires go on?
The planner uses about 45F as a seasonal planning rule of thumb, not a universal performance cutoff. Set your place above to see when the 30-year NOAA climate normals at the nearest station cross that threshold. Actual conditions vary with the weather, road, and tire, so use the date as a planning estimate.
Are winter tires required by law in the US?
Requirements depend on the state, road, conditions, and equipment. This planner gives climate-based timing guidance, not a legal determination. Some highways can have traction or chain requirements, and studded-tire rules vary by state. Check the relevant transportation authority before travel.
Why 45 degrees Fahrenheit?
We use about 45F (7C) as a seasonal planning rule of thumb. It does not guarantee that one tire type will perform better in every situation: traction and stopping depend on the tire, road surface, and conditions.
When do winter tires come off?
The planner estimates a seasonal return window from local NOAA climate normals and the 45F planning rule of thumb. Treat the date as an estimate; check current forecasts, the roads you use, tire guidance, and any applicable equipment rules before changing tires.
Winter tire dates by city
Every page computed from that city's own nearest-station record. All cities.