Gibber

Winter tires here in sunny North Carolina is pretty much a waste of money. It's snowed about an inch twice this winter, and I don't recall it snowing at all last winter. I have summer tires on all three Audi's and (knock on wood) have never had any issues to speak of.

Tifosi

If it is not practical to have winter or all-season tires on the car then at least have the common sense about not using the car when it does snows. OP took the car on a 250 mile trip, which is hardly just around the corner to get milk and toast.

IceAero

Moreover, below 50° high performance winter tires are going to perform better too.

I think we all see too many of these stories...