OLYMPIA — The potential for some late season snow means the deadline to remove studded tires in Washington state has been extended until Sunday, April 15.

The state Department of Transportation said state law allows the deadline to be extended into April if current or predicted weather conditions make it difficult for travel. The decision was made after consulting with meteorologists and maintenance supervisors. The deadline was last extended in 2012.

With the extension, all studded tires need to be removed no later than the end of the day on April 15. Starting April 16, drivers with studded tires on their vehicles face a $136 traffic infraction.

According to the WSDOT, studded tires damage pavement each year, costing an estimated $29 million annually in additional wear and tear on state roads alone. Long-term, WSDOT is continuing to urge drivers to investigate alternatives such as studless winter tires, which are not subject to removal deadlines.

Washington state and Oregon generally share the same studded tire removal deadline. Oregon’s Department of Transportation is extending its own removal date to April 15.