I'm going to be moving to DC in the January time frame and had a question about winter tires. Does DC get snow/ice that much to necessitate winter tires? I will be working in the Tysons area, so I figure I can take public transport (metro and bus) when road conditions are bad, or just work from home! Let me know what kind of set up you guys have. I'm going to be living in a smaller apt in Georgetown, so I don't really have anywhere to store my summer tires or get a winter beater. Thanks!

I have a 2004 6MT with stock 18s on it running Dunlop Direzza DZ101s.

 

Last year we got some mild snow/ice, but in general DC local roads and highways get plowed & salted enough to allow driving with the summer tires. Just use caution and good judgement cuz the summer tires SUCK on ice. I have '05 6MT and only had a problem once when my car slid down to the bottom of the driveway cuz it iced up. Will fix that this year with salt on the driveway.

 

DC roads are NOT salted/plowed enough for safe driving with your summer tires. The Georgetown area is better than most simply because it is a more upscale neighborhood and will usually be one of the first to get the anti-weather treatment. However, most of the rest of DC, in addition to MD/VA, will not be done up as well. Additionally, as bwjap was saying, the summer and even all-season tires will send you sliding occasionally even on minimal slush. Definitely go for the winter tires and, if you have that extra-paranoid spirit, throw in a couple sandbags in the trunk.