Time for winter tires

Photo: Contributed - Government of British Columbia

What's on your wheels?

Despite sunny skies above, as of Oct. 1, drivers must have winter tires to drive many B.C. highways.

While lower-elevation roads may seem harmless for the time being, snow has already been reported on the Coquihalla Highway and Okanagan Connector.

The provincial government says winter tires must be in good condition, with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres. Large commercial vehicles must carry chains.

Locally, these highways include Highway 97, from Vernon to Penticton, Highway 97C, from Kelowna to Merritt, and the Coquihalla, Highway 5.

A full map of highways requiring winter tires can be found here.

“These routes are generally located approaching high mountain passes, and highways which see significant winter conditions and where conditions can change from rain to snow quickly,” the province said in a press statement.

Appropriate tires should have either the snowflake symbol or the letters M+S, for mud and snow. These can include all-season tires, which have the M+S logo, and winter tires, which have the snowflake. All-weather tires carry both symbols.

Drivers found without proper winter tires on their vehicle face a $121 fine, and those without the minimum tread depth face a $109 fine.

Despite forecasts of a potentially milder winter, due to a strong El Nino and the Pacific decadal oscillation, mountain pass highways in the Okanagan are known for their volatile weather and fast-changing patterns.