Studded tires have been verboten in Ontario since the late ‘70s, and I imagine other North American jurisdictions did the same at about the same time for the same reasons — steel-belted “four-season” radial tires came on the market, and governments were tired of seeing their asphalt torn up every year. In Ottawa and colder regions, “four-season” radial tires are actually three-season tires because they harden too much at temperatures way below freezing, causing skids. Snow tires have a grippy tread even in deep cold.

Rain all day, sometimes heavy, and cooler temperatures in the offing. October has finally showed up.