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NYC's Snow Melt: Giant Hot Tubs Tackle Blizzard Aftermath
30 Jan
Summary
- Over a foot of snow blanketed parts of New York City.
- Giant snow 'hot tubs' melt 60-120 tons of snow per hour.
- 2,500 city workers operate 24/7 to clear roads before next storm.
Following a historic winter storm that delivered over a foot of snow to parts of New York City, municipal crews are now working diligently to melt the remaining snow. Temperatures have remained below freezing, preventing natural melt and necessitating an accelerated removal process. The city is utilizing specialized snow melters, described as 'hot tubs,' capable of processing between 60 and 120 tons of snow per hour.
These machines work by trucks dumping excavated snow into heated water, rapidly melting it. The melted water is then filtered and directed into storm drains. This intensive effort involves more than 2,500 city workers operating around the clock. Their primary goal is to clear major bus routes, ensuring residents can travel to work and school, especially with the forecast indicating the possibility of another blizzard.
The use of these large-scale snow melters is not unprecedented in New York, having last been employed at this magnitude in 2021. Similar equipment is also used in other cities and at airports across North America to manage significant snowfall efficiently.
