NYC Deploys Massive Hot Tubs to Melt Snow After Deadly Winter Storm

The city rolls out 8 'snow melters' to clear streets, sidewalks, and bus stops of lingering snow from the recent blizzard.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:23am

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In response to a deadly winter storm that dumped nearly 15 inches of snow on parts of New York City, the Department of Sanitation has deployed 8 massive hot tubs across the city to quickly melt the lingering snow. The hot tubs, which can melt 60-120 tons of snow per hour, are stationed in areas like lower Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. This is the first time the city has fully deployed the hot tubs since 2021, and officials say they expect the tubs to be in use for several more weeks, especially if another round of snow hits this weekend.

Why it matters

The heavy snowfall from the recent winter storm has left many city streets, sidewalks, and public transit areas impassable, creating safety hazards and disrupting business and pedestrian traffic. The deployment of the massive hot tubs is an effort by the city to quickly clear these areas and restore mobility, especially with the potential for additional snowfall in the coming days.

The details

The 8 'snow melters' deployed by the Department of Sanitation can melt roughly 60-120 tons of snow per hour. The hot tubs are stationed at sites like Broad and Water streets in lower Manhattan, where football field-sized mountains of snow are dumped into the melting tubs at 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The water is then dumped directly into the sewer system with permission from the Department of Environmental Protection. The sites were chosen based on the permissions DSNY could obtain from the environmental authority.

  • On Sunday, Winter Storm Fern dropped nearly 15 inches of snow on parts of New York City, including 11.4 inches in Central Park and 14.9 inches in Washington Heights.
  • The last time the hot tubs were fully deployed was in February 2021 after a major nor'easter hit the city.
  • There was also limited use of the tubs in February 2022, sanitation officials said.

The players

Javier Lojan

The Acting Department of Sanitation Commissioner who spoke to The Post about the deployment of the hot tubs.

Department of Sanitation (DSNY)

The city agency that deployed the 8 'snow melter' hot tubs across New York City to quickly clear snow from the recent winter storm.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The city agency that granted DSNY permission to dump the melted snow water directly into the sewer system.

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What they’re saying

“The snow is just not melting at all, [and] we want to make sure we have enough real estate for businesses and pedestrians to get around freely.”

— Javier Lojan, Acting Department of Sanitation Commissioner (The Post)

“In the next couple of days, they'll notice the difference.”

— Javier Lojan, Acting Department of Sanitation Commissioner (The Post)

What’s next

Another round of snow this upcoming weekend could prolong the use of the hot tubs, according to Commissioner Lojan. The city will continue to monitor the weather and adjust the deployment of the 'snow melters' as needed.

The takeaway

The deployment of massive hot tubs to quickly melt snow in New York City highlights the innovative steps the city is taking to restore mobility and access in the aftermath of a deadly winter storm. This approach showcases the city's commitment to adapting to extreme weather events and prioritizing public safety and convenience for residents and businesses.