How Will This “Winter Of Great Divide” Impact The Demand For Ice Melt In NYC?

According to the Farmers’ Almanac Extended Forecast for Winter 2020-2021,  it will be a “Winter of the Great Divide” with cold and snowy in the north, drought in the west, and everything crazy in between. The extended winter forecast predicts cold snowy winter with normal to below-normal temperatures in the Northeast, increasing the demand for ice melt.

Editor of the Almanac, Peter Geiger said that “Based on our time-tested weather formula, the forecast for the upcoming winter looks a lot different from last year, quite divided with some very intense cold snaps and snowfall”. New York City and surrounding areas will experience plenty of snow and chilling temperatures as per the forecast and there is a possibility of a blizzard approaching the Northeast states in February.  

As per the extended forecast, a storm will emerge from the nation’s midsection towards central England and will cause heavy late-season snowfall to the north of its track. NYC is bracing itself to face the arrival of chilling snowy winter and residents have to be prepared to shovel their driveways, walkways, and other areas of their properties. 

Concrete Safe Ice Melt

Winter Of Great Divide For NYC And Its Impact On The Demand For Ice Melt

Heavy snow during the upcoming season is going to boost the demand for ice melter. With snow, stubborn ice can build up on the surfaces quickly and can result in dangerous and costly slip-and-fall accidents. Most cities require the walkway to be cleared within 24 hours of snowfall. 

Fortunately, ice melt can help you keep your walkways/ driveways clear and safe with comparatively minimal manual effort. The majority of the ice melt in the market are made from one of these materials — calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or magnesium chloride. In some products, a proportion of sand and gravel is added to increase traction on the slippery surface.

Now, what makes these products different and which one is more efficient depends on the temperature in which they can operate. This is determined by whether the deicer releases or absorbs heat upon contact with snow and ice.

Exothermic snowmelt release heat when it comes in contact with moisture and the heat produced from this reaction helps to melt the ice on the driveways. For example, calcium-chloride-based snowmelt release heat and are effective up to -25 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Weather Forecast

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On the other hand, endothermic snow melters absorb heat and use it to break down the ice to form liquid brine which has a lower freezing point. Endothermic snow melters like sodium chloride work slowly and are effective at a smaller range of temperatures. They are more economical as compared to exothermic snow melters. You should choose the snow melter depending on the temperature in your area.

However, the chloride-based ice melt can cause a crack in your concrete sidewalks and driveways. Excessive use of this snowmelt can also cause damage to plants and vegetation. 

Safe Paw Snow And Ice Melt

Alternatively, there are non-toxic, pet-friendly and non-corrosive ice melt solutions also. For example, Safe Paw is a patented dual-effect compound. The liquid component starts melting ice instantly while breaking its surface tension. This allows the crystal core to quickly penetrate and destabilize the ice and speed up the melting process. It’s a Non-corrosive and non-conductive formula – safe on cured concrete and also for pets and kids.

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