Don't take off your winter tires just yet, says CAA-Quebec as storm heads toward Montreal

Spring is nearly here, but it is still too early for Quebec motorists to switch their winter tires for summer ones, says CAA-Quebec.

CAA-Quebec is advising drivers to hold off as long as slippery winter road conditions persist,even though under Quebec law, drivers can legally removetheir winter tires as of March 16.

"You know as well as me that in Quebec,we can still get surprises in the spring late in the spring,"CAA-Quebecspokesperson Annie Gauthier told CBC Montreal'sDaybreak.

"Just to make sure that people are safe on the roads, we recommend to them to keep their winter tires on a little longer."

• Blast of wintry weather headed for Montreal, Eastern Townships

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm watch for southern and central Quebec, including the Montreal area. Some areas are expected to get up to 25 centimetres of snow by Wednesday evening.

Gauthier advises drivers to wait anothermonth, until at least mid-April,to putsummer tires on their cars.