Today is the first day that northern Kenai Peninsula residents may change over to their vehicles’ winter tires.
Jill Reese with the Department of Transportation said there are two dates that residents here should keep in mind.
Reese: “September 16 is the first day that studded tires can go on for folks north of Ninilchik. They put that line of demarcation just because it’s warmer the further south you go, of course. South of Ninilchik studded tires cannot go on until September 30.”
The long-term forecast by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is still calling for above average warm temperatures and precipitation through November.
Reese said the DOT has previously advanced the allowance of snow tires for early winter weather but they do not usually push the date back.
Reese: “As you know it’s just as unpredictable as mother nature can be. So we pretty much try to stick with these dates.”
Studded tires are not allowed on the Sterling Highway from May 1 until September 15 each year.