ATS Euromaster has revealed that it expects its total cold weather tyre sales to exceed £10m in 2013, as the popularity of seasonal fitments for cars and vans continues to grow.

As part of its preparation, the company is taking delivery of tens of thousands of cold weather fitments to ensure its centres are ready to meet demand from businesses eager to switch to winter tyres before the temperatures begin to drop.

ATS Euromaster’s latest annual Winter Weather Study analysed temperatures in 10 major UK cities stretching from London to Aberdeen, and found that temperatures dropped below seven degrees Celsius during prime commuting hours on an average of 15 days in October 2012, rising to 30 days in March 2013.

The company's winter warning follows a prolonged period last year which saw just nine days between October 2012 and March 2013 when cold weather tyres wouldn't have made driving safer in at least one of the 10 major cities studied.

Looking ahead to winter 2013/14, ATS Euromaster is encouraging fleets keen to experience the benefit of cold weather tyres to consider their requirements and place orders as soon as possible.

The company offers a full range of budget, mid-range and premium cold weather tyres, backed up by in-house tyre hotels to store "out-of-season" tyres.

Peter Fairlie, group sales director of ATS Euromaster, commented: ‘After a summer which has seen temperatures peaking in the mid-30s, it’s hard to imagine that we could be just weeks away from temperatures starting to plummet.  Unfortunately, that’s a reality we must get used to given our changing climate in the UK.

‘There’s a reason why the early adopters of winter tyres continue to switch tyres each year. Savvy fleet managers have measured the additional investment against the improved mobility, reduced accident damage, increased tyre life and positive driver feedback.

'Once you’ve driven a car or van on winter tyres in adverse weather conditions, you don’t want to be without them.’