Winter tire dates for Lower Mainland
Computed from the 30-year climate record at Abbotsford Airport, the officialEnvironment Canada station 6 km from Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
All-day events with a one-week reminder, straight from this page.
The climate record behind these dates
Mean daily temperature by month at Abbotsford Airport, 30-year normals. The tire windows fall where this line crosses 7 C.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 | 5 | 7.2 | 9.8 | 13 | 15.7 | 18.1 | 18.2 | 15.3 | 10.5 | 6 | 2.9 |
Values below 7 C shown in blue: winter tire season at Lower Mainland.
The rule in British Columbia
Some highways
Follow the posted route signs: passenger vehicles must use compliant winter tires, while commercial vehicles must carry chains where required. Most designated routes run October 1 to April 30; select routes end March 31. B.C. defines winter tires by M+S or mountain-snowflake sidewall marking and at least 3.5 mm tread.
Government of British Columbia, verified 2026-09-27. Full 13-province table on the planner page.
Lower Mainland winter tire questions
When should winter tires go on in Lower Mainland?
Around November 8. That is when the mean daily temperature at Abbotsford Airport, the official station nearest Lower Mainland, historically settles below 7 C, 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 Lower Mainland?
After March 13, when mean daily temperatures climb back above 7 C to stay. Taking them off earlier risks a late cold snap; much later wears the soft compound on warm pavement.
Is there a winter tire law in British Columbia?
Posted winter-tire or chain requirements apply on most designated highways October 1 to April 30; select routes end March 31. Source: Government of British Columbia, verified 2026-09-27.
How are these dates calculated?
From Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normals 30-year climate normals at Abbotsford Airport (6 km from Lower Mainland): monthly mean daily temperatures anchored mid-month, linearly interpolated across the 7 C 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 theEnvironment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normalsat Abbotsford Airport, interpolated across the 7 C tire-compound threshold. The provincial rule is taken from Government of British Columbia and was last verified 2026-09-27.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, and laws can change. Watch the forecast in the shoulder weeks and confirm current rules at the linked sourcebefore acting.
More for Lower Mainland: frost and planting dates. Different place? The full planner covers all 655 stations.