While winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, Oregon has already begun to see snow and cooler temperatures, which means it’s not too early to get studded tires and chains.

Here’s when you can get studded tires, when you might need them and where to get them.

When are studded tires legal in Oregon?

In Oregon, it’s legal to replace regular traction tires with studded tires from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Studded tires consist of metal studs rooted throughout the tread of the tire that give drivers better traction by digging into packed snow and ice, making for safer driving in winter conditions. For areas of Oregon such as central, eastern and mountain passes that typically see ice and heavy snowfall each year, studded tires and chains are sometimes required.

All highways throughout the state are subject to Oregon’s chain law. In normal winter weather, vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less are allowed to use traction tires in place of chains as long as they’re not towing or being towed, according to Oregon Department of Transportation.

However, in certain road conditions, studded tires may not be enough.

When does Oregon require chains or studded tires?

When going through particularly bad road conditions, drivers may encounter conditional road closures where they will see brightly lit electronic messages letting them know whether chains are required, or if traction tires are enough.

To find out beforehand whether Oregon roads are experiencing any closures, travelers can go to the TripCheck website and view current statewide road conditions.

Should you use studded tires in Oregon?

Due to the impact studded tires have on pavement, the Oregon Department of Transportation advises drivers that studded tires should only be used when necessary.

Research has been conducted on the type of damage studded tires does to roadways, including how the use of studs “can shorten the asphalt surface life of pavements,” according to a report by the ODOT Research Unit.

ODOT recommended that drivers delay using studded tires or even looking into other traction tire options.

In place of studs, all-weather or high-performance tires provide wider tracts, deeper grooves and uneven surfaces to provides better traction for drivers in any road conditions.

Where can drivers purchase studded tires in Oregon?

As the colder months approach, chains, studded tires and other traction tires can be purchased at tire retailers like Les Schwab, Discount Tire and local tire retailers around Oregon.

Costs for studding and purchasing studdable tires will vary depending on the type of vehicle you have.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.

A total of 39 people have tested positive in the US this year, including nine from Washington, as the virus has infected poultry flocks and spread to more than 400 dairy herds, federal data show. All of the cases were farm workers who had known contact with infected animals, except for one person in Missouri.

The Oregon State Beavers’ baseball schedule for the 2025 season has officially been unveiled.

On Wednesday, OSU announced its full 56-game regular-season schedule ahead of its first year operating as an independent program. The Beavers will open the spring Feb. 14 against Xavier in Surprise, Arizona, and kick off a string of 11 straight road games.

Mitch Canham’s squad will return to Corvallis for its first home game of the season when it hosts San Diego on March 7.

Oregon State will travel to Eugene for a three-game set against rival Oregon on April 25-27. The Beavers will host the Ducks for a single game at Goss Stadium on April 29.

Last season, OSU went 45-16 and made a deep postseason run but fell short of the College World Series after losing to Kentucky in the Lexington Super Regional. The Beavers ended the year at No. 10 in the D1Baseball rankings.

During the offseason, OSU lost plenty of firepower. All-American second baseman Travis Bazzana was selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. In total, seven key contributors from last year’s team were selected in the draft.

But the Beavers have reloaded with an intriguing mix of transfer portal talent and blue-chip high school prospects from the 2024 signing class. Aiva Arquette, who is widely viewed as a top-10 prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft, transferred in from Washington and is expected to be a tone-setter for OSU’s lineup.

Here’s a look at Oregon State’s full schedule.

Oregon State baseball 2025 schedule

• Feb. 14 vs. Xavier (Surprise, Arizona) 11 a.m.
• Feb. 15 vs. UNLV (Surprise, Arizona) 11 a.m.
• Feb. 16 vs. Indiana (Surprise, Arizona) 11 a.m.
• Feb. 17 vs. Xavier (Surprise, Arizona) 1 p.m.
• Feb. 19 vs. Houston (Round Rock, Texas) 4 p.m.
• Feb. 21 vs. Minnesota (Round Rock, Texas) 4 p.m.
• Feb. 22 vs. Oklahoma (Round Rock, Texas) 2 p.m.
• Feb. 23 vs. Virginia (Round Rock, Texas) 10 a.m.
• Feb. 28 vs. Auburn (Arlington, Texas) 5 p.m.
• March 1 vs. Baylor (Arlington, Texas) 4 p.m.
• March 2 vs. Ohio State (Arlington, Texas) 9 a.m.
• March 7 San Diego 5 p.m.
• March 8 San Diego 1:35 p.m.
• March 9 San Diego 1:05 p.m.
• March 11 Washington State 5:35 p.m.
• March 12 Washington State 3:05 p.m.
• March 14 Grand Canyon 5:35 p.m.
• March 15 Santa Clara 5:35 p.m.
• March 16 Grand Canyon 1:05 p.m.
• March 18 Rutgers 5:35 p.m.
• March 21 at Cal Poly TBA
• March 22 at Cal Poly TBA
• March 23 at Cal Poly TBA
• March 25 vs. Washington (Hillsboro) TBA
• March 28 at Nebraska TBA
• March 29 at Nebraska TBA
• March 30 at Nebraska TBA
• April 4 UC Irvine 5:35 p.m.
• April 5 UC Irvine 1:35 p.m.
• April 6 UC Irvine 1:05 p.m.
• April 8 Portland (Hillsboro) TBA
• April 11 Cal State Fullerton TBA
• April 12 at Cal State Fullerton TBA
• April 13 at Cal State Fullerton TBA
• April 15 at UCLA TBA
• April 17 at CSUN TBA
• April 18 at CSUN TBA
• April 19 Saturday at CSUN TBA
• April 21 Gonzaga 5:35 p.m.
• April 22 Gonzaga 5:35 p.m.
• April 25 at Oregon 5:05 p.m.
• April 26 at Oregon 2:05 p.m.
• April 27 at Oregon 12:05 p.m.
• April 29 Oregon 5:35 p.m.
• May 2 at Hawai’i TBA
• May 3 at Hawai’i TBA
• May 4 at Hawai’i TBA
• May 5 at Hawai’i TBA
• May 7 Portland 5:35 p.m.
• May 9 vs. Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa) TBA
• May 10 vs. Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa) TBA
• May 11 vs. Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa) TBA
• May 13 Portland 5:35 p.m.
• May 15 Long Beach State 5:35 p.m.
• May 16 Long Beach State 5:35 p.m.
• May 17 Long Beach State 1:35 p.m.

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney