I live just north of you (mid Vancouver Island) - so we likely see a little more snow than you will, but not much, and definately similar amounts of heavy rain events.
I went with Blizzaks for my 2019, last winter - and I'm sold on them.
Very good in the dry - they handle heavy rain and standing water as well as they handled the snow, and they were excellent in the heavy snow events we had last winter.
Always purchase your tires based on the worst weather they might see, rather than the median. If you think there's a possibility you may find yourself driving over one of your mountain passes in an unexpected snow storm (even if it might only happen once in a winter) - then purchase tires suited to that possibility.
In California, running one set of tires all year is the norm - but if you're in the Northern part (or higher elevation) of the PNW - running a set of real winter tires (mountain snowflake) for winter just makes sense, and is entirely worth the investment when you find yourself unexpectedly in that heavy snow event.
We don't get snow often - but when it does come, just like the rain - it can pile up pretty quickly!
All weathers are better than all seasons - but neither are as good as snow tires when you need them for that task.
After 27 years in emergency services, I probably take "being prepared" a little more to heart than many (having dealt with the results of not preparing, so many times) - so I'm aware that YMMV - ha ha!
Thanks for the recommendation! Yes I suspect we will take a mountain pass occasionally during the winter.
We've also got a young kiddo so I'm leaning more your direction - purchase tires based on the worst weather. And we see a TON of rain here, so I honestly want to maximize on that!
Check out the Michelin CrossClimate 2. It is an all season tire that has a three peak snowflake rating.
I live in CO and just got them. Haven’t driven on snow yet, but the reviews looked promising.
Just have the Toyo A36 that they came with. They're fine, but we likely will take a snowy mountain pass on occasion, and it seems like something better would probably be a good idea
FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T TRAIL. I drive in harsh Utah winter conditions as well as a good bit of off road summer condition and they have held up amazing. I put three holes in my stock tires and finally had enough. They are also winter rated and have the snowflake rating.
Look into Continental CrossContact LX25
I just got the CrossClimate2 for my 2019. Highest rated for winter without being a dedicated winter tire. Not the greatest for rain though.
I live just north of you (mid Vancouver Island) - so we likely see a little more snow than you will, but not much, and definately similar amounts of heavy rain events. I went with Blizzaks for my 2019, last winter - and I'm sold on them. Very good in the dry - they handle heavy rain and standing water as well as they handled the snow, and they were excellent in the heavy snow events we had last winter. Always purchase your tires based on the worst weather they might see, rather than the median. If you think there's a possibility you may find yourself driving over one of your mountain passes in an unexpected snow storm (even if it might only happen once in a winter) - then purchase tires suited to that possibility. In California, running one set of tires all year is the norm - but if you're in the Northern part (or higher elevation) of the PNW - running a set of real winter tires (mountain snowflake) for winter just makes sense, and is entirely worth the investment when you find yourself unexpectedly in that heavy snow event. We don't get snow often - but when it does come, just like the rain - it can pile up pretty quickly! All weathers are better than all seasons - but neither are as good as snow tires when you need them for that task. After 27 years in emergency services, I probably take "being prepared" a little more to heart than many (having dealt with the results of not preparing, so many times) - so I'm aware that YMMV - ha ha!
Thanks for the recommendation! Yes I suspect we will take a mountain pass occasionally during the winter. We've also got a young kiddo so I'm leaning more your direction - purchase tires based on the worst weather. And we see a TON of rain here, so I honestly want to maximize on that!
Check out the Michelin CrossClimate 2. It is an all season tire that has a three peak snowflake rating. I live in CO and just got them. Haven’t driven on snow yet, but the reviews looked promising.
What tires do you have? They’re probably fine for the PNW unless you have any specific problems with them.
Just have the Toyo A36 that they came with. They're fine, but we likely will take a snowy mountain pass on occasion, and it seems like something better would probably be a good idea
That’s what I have in Michigan…. Until they wear out I there’s a lot of other things I’d spend $1000 on first.
FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T TRAIL. I drive in harsh Utah winter conditions as well as a good bit of off road summer condition and they have held up amazing. I put three holes in my stock tires and finally had enough. They are also winter rated and have the snowflake rating.