Deadline for Alaskans to remove studded tires is extended into May

Mother Nature doesn’t seem too willing to let go of winter just yet, as evidenced by snow that is still falling and the prolonged winter Alaska is still experiencing.

The conditions are still impacting road travel, and on Wednesday, the state Department of Public Safety announced an extension for Alaskans to change over their snow tires.

Commissioner James Cockrell issued an emergency order to extend the deadline to remove studded tires from Alaska vehicles due to “extended winter weather conditions” across the state, according to a statement from the public safety department. The deadline has been extended by 15 days.

Drivers in all areas north of that latitude line, including other parts of Southcentral Alaska and all portions of the Sterling Highway, will have until May 15 to remove studded tires from vehicles.

Alaskans in Southeast Alaska, the Aleutian Chain, Southwest Alaska, the southern Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak — all areas south of 60 degrees north latitude — can drive on studded tires until May 1.

“Much of Alaska is experiencing prolonged winter weather after a heavy snow winter that has extended the ice season well into April,” said Commissioner Jim Cockrell.

“This 15-day extension for the studded tire removal deadline will provide additional time to switch to regular tires without compromising safety,” he said.

According to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Road Maintenance page, the extension is already in place and residents will need to change over their tires by May 1.