The deadline to remove studded tires from vehicles on Alaska roadways was extended for communities above the 60 degrees latitude line, including Kenai and Soldotna.

A 15-day extension was issued via emergency order and announced in a press release by the Department of Public Safety on Monday, pushing back the deadline to have studded tires removed on the central Kenai Peninsula until May 15.

Kenai, Soldotna and Seward are all above the latitude line and may use studded tires until the new deadline.

In Homer, studded tires should have been removed by the original deadline of April 15, though the release says that studded tires will be allowed on all parts of the Sterling Highway until the May 15 deadline.

“Many parts of Alaska are experiencing prolonged winter weather after a near record setting snow season that has extended icy road conditions well into April,” says Department Commissioner Jim Cockrell in the release. “This 15-day extension for the studded tire removal deadline will provide additional time to switch to regular tires without compromising safety.”

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.