Memories of last winter and a forecast of possible snow by the weekend has Lower Mainlanders rushing to tire shops this week.

Ken Popove at Ken鈥檚 Tire and Wheel in Chilliwack works mostly on a first-come, first-serve basis. When Popove arrived at work on Thursday at 6:30 a.m. there was a man sleeping in his van out front hoping to be first in line.

鈥淚t started up when the first snow hit the Coquihalla, first part of October, and we鈥檝e been going strong every day,鈥� Popove said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 busy. People are getting prepared. Last year I think scared a lot of people.鈥�

REMEMBER LAST WINTER:

, the Sea-to-Sky can expect up to 15 centimetres of snow on Thursday, while the Howe Sound and the Fraser Valley could see up to five centimetres.

Snowfall warnings in effect for much of Southern Interior today. Check for latest updates here:

鈥� ECCC Weather BC (@ECCCWeatherBC)

Metro Vancouver also won鈥檛 be spared with areas at higher elevation expected to see a few centimetres of snow on Thursday night while even low lying terrain could see its first snow by Friday.

As for vehicle owners, Popove said not everyone needs snow tires. For those not leaving the Lower Mainland, an all-season tire should do, but for those with plans to head to Whistler or up the Coquihalla or anywhere else into elevation, snow tires are a must.

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paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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