PATCO Offers Rewards for Guessing When Haddonfield Snow Pile Will Melt

The rail line is taking bets on when the massive snow pile at its Haddonfield, New Jersey station will fully disappear.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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PATCO, the rail line connecting South Jersey and Philadelphia, is offering a $20 credit to anyone who accurately guesses when the large snow pile at its Haddonfield, New Jersey station will fully melt. The snow pile has been lingering for over a month since the January 25th snowstorm, and PATCO says it's still holding strong despite recent warmer temperatures.

Why it matters

Snow piles can often stick around long after a storm, creating hazards and inconveniences for commuters and residents. PATCO's contest is a creative way to engage the community and highlight the challenges of snow removal, while also providing an incentive for people to pay attention to the melting process.

The details

PATCO says the snow pile has shrunk since last week, but there's still a significant amount remaining. The rail line is asking people to reply to a tweet with the hashtag #PATCOSnowPile and guess the date the pile will fully melt. Meteorologists have noted that snow can melt at varying rates depending on factors like temperature and sunlight exposure.

  • The January 25th snowstorm left the snow pile at the Haddonfield PATCO station.
  • Over a month later, the snow pile is still present at the station.

The players

PATCO

The rail line connecting South Jersey and Philadelphia that is running the contest to guess when the snow pile at its Haddonfield station will melt.

Kate Bilo

A meteorologist who previously provided insights on snow melting rates based on temperature and sunlight exposure.

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What they’re saying

“Snow melts around a half-inch per day when it's 40-45 degrees out. When it's 50-55 degrees and sunny, snow can melt at a rate of 2-4 inches an hour. Results may vary for piles of densely packed snow and ice.”

— Kate Bilo, Meteorologist (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

PATCO will announce the winner of the $20 credit once the snow pile at the Haddonfield station has fully melted.

The takeaway

This contest highlights the challenges of snow removal and the unpredictable nature of snow melt, especially for large piles that can linger for weeks or even months after a storm. PATCO's creative approach engages the community and provides an incentive for people to pay attention to the melting process.