The "Mud+Snow" label is arguably the most confusing. Because of inadequate standardisation it’s found on many all-season-tyres, on off-road and all-terrain versions. It simply means – using the definition endorsed by organisations such as TyreSafe – "tyres whose tread and structure are designed to give better handling than normal tyres in slush and fresh or melting snow". That’s not to decry their mud-plugging abilities, but since the M+S marking includes no stipulation for a softer, winter-specific composition these tyres may simply have a standard summer compound and therefore cannot be classified, or sold, as true winter tyres. So although they may look the part, on ice their design has no effect as the rigid rubber tread blocks become ever-harder, losing vital grip.

The flexible, high-silica compounds of "Cold Weather" (or "Winter") tyres - allied to tread sipes that create a multitude of grippy edges - cope infinitely better with low-temperature conditions. Control and response levels leave summer tyres standing – or just spinning. Look out for the mountain-and-snowflake symbol on the sidewall. It denotes high performance when the going gets tough.

And if anyone suggests Nordic winter tyres, make sure you actually need them. Unlike the products on sale here in the UK, these have an even more flexible compound for temperatures stuck well below freezing for months on end. They’re common in Scandinavia, and inappropriate to British winter roads.

So, too, are Studded (or Studable) winter tyres. Suitable for long-term snow/ice in countries such as Sweden and Finland (and mountain/ski resort roads elsewhere in Europe), these spiky doughnuts give tremendous grip but inflict damage, and damaging fines, if used in the wrong place.

Of these various types, the right choice for the kind of weather we’ve recently had – and can still expect - remains the Cold-weather/Winter tyre. Its rising popularity is no accident: from corporate fleet managers to parcel couriers, and from the emergency services to private motorists, more and more of us are realising that safety and mobility don't have to get left out in the cold.

 TREAD CAREFULLY

- Growing interest in winter tyres means many popular sizes went out of stock during the cold snap. Manufacturers and retailers are now gearing up for next autumn’s production runs (in line with Europe). With more-of-the-same UK weather patterns in the offing, best get your order in early.

- If you do find the winter tyres you need, buy a set of four. Fitting them only to the driven wheels could provoke instability through compound differences, and cause insurance issues.

- Recent outrage over insurers raising premiums for winter tyre fitment has largely subsided. Many say they no longer require notification provided the tyres are "correct for the vehicle and professionally fitted". The message may not have filtered down from head offices to call centres, though, so demand confirmation.

- Driving to Europe this winter? Check the latest country-by-country winter tyre regulations with your insurer, the AA or Tyres-Online. Germany has recently increased on-the-spot fines for driving without "seasonal-specific" tyres.

- Remember: while winter/cold-weather tyres won’t help you climb Everest, they could make the difference between being stranded and being safe. If so, it’s money well spent – but should forking out for two sets of tyres be an issue, the experts recommend driving on winter tyres all year round.