Hey all, I have a 2011 JCW almost a month now with just about 300 miles on him.
I also have some vaction time due to me...
So.... It's time for a Road Trip.....
I'm looking at the 2nd-3rd week in Jan. Either up to VT or down South (which I'm leaning toward)
If I go south (from NYC) NJ-PA-VA-NC- Tenn. any idea from past years expirance or if you live in the areas.. if I will encounter snow.. I do want to pass through Deal Gap.. Tail of the Dragon..(at a slow rate first)...
My issue is I have 17" RF Summer tires which I wont be changing anytime soon... (no money,space to store, + I have the rim and tire protection on them) How bad are these tire in the snow? (I have driven other cars in the snow) If I keep at moderate speeds... I just don't want to get stuck in the mountains anywhere or go off roading... I heard VT clears their roads well but not sure about in the wooded areas and I'm sure it will snow alot up there by then...Not sure about the Southern parts...never been there....

TIA Sir Dave...

 

Bring your camera and skis! When you're heading for TN and coming through NC you will be into the Apalachines. Mountains in the winter = snow, or ice which is worse.

As your time of departure arrives, take a look at weather reports for places along your route. But realize that weather forecasting is an inexact science!

 

I don't think you really want to be driving around those mountains in a snow storm. You won't be seeing anything but white.

If you can't wait until springtime starts you really need to head to Florida and enjoy the drive.

You can check the weather on the Skyline drive and if it is calling for snow you just plan "B" down through the Vally.

 

I agree with both of the posters above, in the winter in the mountains you can get ice and snow anytime and those roads are sometimes a handful when dry.
If you stay on the major roads you will be fine, but the fun back roads you can encounter almost anything conditions wise.
That said, you could also have dry clear roads, cold temps for good boost and have a ton of fun.
Just depends on the weather.

 

I would not even consider driving in known snow/ice areas with summer runcraps. I ditch my runflats immediately (but that's another story) for summer performance tires but I live where it only drops below 35ish two-three weeks out of the year. Last Christmas Eve I was enroute to Dallas and as I approached it from the south started seeing little snowflakes in the headlight beams. Anyone familiar with I45 coming into Dallas from Houston knows that most of the last 10-15 miles or so is elevated. I was terrified as people around me were crashing left and right, and anything above the most gentle pressure on the gas pedal had me spinning tires too. Summer tires by their very definition drop drastically in safety and performance below 40 degrees. I would say wait if you can't get alternative tires.

 

Winter in NC can be very spotty. Very cold, occassional snow/ice event or mild temps. Though in the mountains it would tend more toward cold and frozen precip. Depending on location, clearing of the roads can be very spotty if there is a frozen precip event.

fwiw, I find my summer tires do okay in the NC climate throughout winter unless there is frozen precip. Then, they are truly an adventure to try to drive with.

There were some THMMCers up in the mountains this past weekend who got caught in some snow. Not sure if they had summer tires on or not, but they might be able to provide some feedback as well.

 

Hi all, well after reading what most have said about the weather and seeing the past few days of weather down "south" I may post pone my trip..

Ok how's the weather in March? I think I can use my 2010 days up until the last day in March..
I would love to attend MINIs on the Dragon but it looks like all the rooms are booked and the pricing seems high...(supply and demand I guess)
I would consider stayng 20- 30 miles or minutes out if I could get a decent room a good price. I wouldn't even know where to look....

Thanks Dave

 

I think you are doing the right thing waiting for March. You will have a better time then worrying about snow and ice.