Snow removal in NYC following Winter Storm Fern has been exceptionally difficult, primarily because of a historic "deep freeze" that has prevented the snow from melting naturally.
As of late January 2026, here is why the city is struggling to clear the streets:
1. The "Deep Freeze" and Refreezing
The city is currently enduring its longest streak of sub-freezing temperatures in history (7+ consecutive days). Because temperatures aren't rising above 32^\circ\text{F} (0^\circ\text{C}), the snow isn't just sitting there—it’s turning into rock-hard ice.
* Ice Ridges: Snow "ridges" left by plows have frozen solid, making them nearly impossible to move with standard plows.
* Nighttime Refreezing: Any daytime slush quickly turns into "black ice" at night, creating hazardous conditions for both drivers and sanitation crews.
2. Lack of Staging Space
In a dense city like New York, there is nowhere to "put" 16 inches of snow.
* Curb Space: Huge mounds are currently blocking bus stops, fire hydrants, and crosswalks.
* Narrow Side Streets: DSNY has noted that hauling snow away from narrow side streets is "bordering on impossible" without completely shutting down traffic for hours, which further delays the process.
3. Reliance on "Snow Hot Tubs"
Because the snow won't melt on its own, the city is using large-scale snow melters (nicknamed "snow hot tubs").
* The Capacity Gap: Each of these machines can melt between 60 and 120 tons of snow per hour.
* The Scale: While that sounds like a lot, the city has already melted over 23 million pounds of snow and still has a massive backlog. DSNY officials expect these melting operations to continue for at least another two weeks.
4. Specialized Equipment Shortage
To deal with the frozen ridges, the city has had to deploy 100 specialized vehicles and "snow-fighting" teams from other departments (Parks, DOT, and DEP) to assist the 2,500 sanitation workers per shift.
Comparison of Removal Efforts
| Resource | Amount Used/Deployed |
|---|---|
| Sanitation Workers | 2,500+ per 12-hour shift |
| Salt | 116 million+ pounds |
| Snow Melted | 23 million+ pounds (and counting) |
| Equipment | 2,500+ plows and spreaders |
Current Status: Trash and recycling collection remain delayed as DSNY prioritizes snow removal. Mayor Mamdani has asked New Yorkers for patience, stating that "every street has been plowed," but clearing the remaining frozen mounds will take time.
Would you like me to check if your specific neighborhood's trash collection schedule has been updated?
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