Winter tire dates for Chicago
Computed from the 30-year climate record at Chicago Midway Ap 72534, the officialNOAA station 15 km from Chicago, Illinois.
All-day events with a one-week reminder, straight from this page.
The climate record behind these dates
Mean daily temperature by month at Chicago Midway Ap 72534, 30-year normals. The tire windows fall where this line crosses 45F.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 30 | 40 | 51 | 62 | 72 | 76 | 74 | 67 | 55 | 42 | 31 |
Values below 45F shown in blue: winter tire season at Chicago.
Winter tires and the law
Check route-specific rules
The dates above are climate-based planning guidance, not a statement of the law. Requirements depend on the state, road, conditions, and equipment. For example, Colorado may activate traction or chain laws on specific highways, while Alaska regulates when studded tires may be used. Check the state department of transportation for your route and current conditions.
Chicago winter tire questions
When should winter tires go on in Chicago?
Around November 9. That is when the mean daily temperature at Chicago Midway Ap 72534, the official station nearest Chicago, historically settles below 45F, the threshold where winter compounds outgrip all-seasons even on dry pavement. Book the swap a week or two ahead; shops fill up after the first cold snap.
When do winter tires come off in Chicago?
After March 29, when mean daily temperatures climb back above 45F to stay. Taking them off earlier risks a late cold snap; much later wears the soft compound on warm pavement.
Are winter tires required by law near Chicago?
Requirements depend on the state, road, conditions, and equipment. For example, Colorado may activate traction or chain laws on specific highways, while Alaska regulates when studded tires may be used. Check the state department of transportation for your route and current conditions.
How are these dates calculated?
From NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 30-year climate normals at Chicago Midway Ap 72534 (15 km from Chicago): monthly mean daily temperatures anchored mid-month, linearly interpolated across the 45F threshold. They are planning averages from the official record, not forecasts. Full method on the methodology page.
How this page was made
The dates above are computed, not written: monthly mean daily temperatures from theNOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normalsat Chicago Midway Ap 72534, interpolated across the 45F tire-compound threshold.Full method: data and methodology. These are planning averages from the official record, not forecasts: microclimates, valleys, and lakeshores can run a week off the station record. Watch the forecast in the shoulder weeksbefore acting.
More for Chicago: frost and planting dates. Different place? The full planner covers all 2697 stations.