What do we do with all this snow?

By: Judah Portnoy

2026 has been a huge year for snow lovers. So far, there have been two massive snowstorms, both producing about a foot of snow. Both have been so severe that New York and New Jersey have both declared states of emergency. 

If you’ve ever had the unfortunate job of plowing snow off your driveway and street, you would know it is not at all as fun as receiving an email declaring that school’s been cancelled. It’s always surprising when you wake up in the morning, and all the snow from the road is plowed, even though it may all be plowed into the start of your driveway.

But how does the snowplowing system actually work?

Before a flake of snow falls, government agencies closely monitor weather projections to determine how much snow will fall and when. Usually, right before snowfall, trucks will go out and salt the roads to ensure minimal icing and prevent accidents. 

Each truck has a specific assignment as to which route they will plow when the snow begins to come down. Main roads and highways are always cleared first, as they are the most important for people who need to go to work and for emergency responders who need to be on duty. 

When the snow is especially heavy, trucks need to make multiple rounds on each street. Not only do they have to go back many times, but they have to work around the clock, sometimes even into the night. For very heavy and dangerous snowfalls, travel bans are put in place so people are safe. Only essential vehicles are allowed to be outside to ensure efficiency. 

In suburban areas, the most effective thing to do is to shovel the snow from the road near the curb and sidewalks, since cars are the main form of transportation. But problems occur with snow in big cities, where people both drive and walk. What happens when snow piles up where people need to walk?

One way that cities like New York have overcome this problem is to have giant “melting tubs.” Workers dump the snow into large vats of hot water, which melts it and then allows it to be drained away. This eliminates the problem of figuring out where to put the snow.

Even if you don't realize it, so much planning and execution needs to happen so that we can go about our daily lives smoothly. While it might be very annoying to find a pile of snow at the end of your driveway, it’s all part of a larger effort to keep everything functioning as it should. 

The next time you’re annoyed about shoveling, just remember how easy you have it compared to all the people working around the clock to shovel for you.