Winter tire dates for Montréal
Computed from the 30-year climate record at Montreal/St-Hubert Airport, the official Environment Canada station 13 km from Montréal, Quebec.
All-day events with a one-week reminder, straight from this page.
The climate record behind these dates
Mean daily temperature by month at Montreal/St-Hubert 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -10.3 | -8.2 | -2.5 | 5.7 | 12.9 | 17.9 | 20.6 | 19.5 | 14.7 | 7.8 | 1.5 | -5.8 |
Values below 7 C shown in blue: winter tire season at Montréal.
The rule in Quebec
Required by law
From December 1 to March 15 inclusive, passenger vehicles, taxis, rentals, mopeds, scooters and motorcycles registered in Quebec must carry tires bearing the mountain-snowflake pictogram (or approved studded tires). The SAAQ can issue a seven-day exemption certificate in specific cases.
SAAQ, verified 2026-06-11. Full 13-province table on the planner page.
Montréal winter tire questions
When should winter tires go on in Montréal?
Around October 19. That is when the mean daily temperature at Montreal/St-Hubert Airport, the official station nearest Montréal, 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 Montréal?
After April 20, 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 Quebec?
Winter tires required by law December 1 to March 15 inclusive on all motorized vehicles registered in Quebec. Source: SAAQ, verified 2026-06-11.
How are these dates calculated?
From Environment and Climate Change Canada 30-year climate normals at Montreal/St-Hubert Airport (13 km from Montréal): 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 the Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normals at Montreal/St-Hubert Airport, interpolated across the 7 C tire-compound threshold. The provincial rule is taken from SAAQ and was last verified 2026-06-11. 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 source before acting.
More for Montréal: frost and planting dates. Different place? The full planner covers all 655 stations.