We've had periods of sunshine and driving rain, and temperatures above freezing since, so why didn't it all disappear yet?
TRENTON - Trenton firefighters predicted the 30 to 40 foot mountain of snow behind fire headquarters could last until May.
It's now a bump in the parking lot, but they were right.
It may look "more like a mulch pile" as a Trenton firefighter once pointed out, but the snow that fell in January still exists, preserved under the dirt and gravel cover of the slowly diminishing pile known as "Mount Allen."
That's the name given by Trenton firefighters to the once-mighty mounds of snow deposited from around the city in the lot behind fire headquarters near Allen Street. It's where State of New Jersey plows dump their loads clearing state parking lots.
We've had periods of sunshine and driving rain, and temperatures above freezing since, so why didn't it all disappear yet?
This 4-story snow 'mountain' could last until May
In a word, insulation. Snow is a good insulator and has plenty of air pockets so when it gets warm, only the outside layer melts.
The plowed snow isn't pure, either. It's got lots of road debris, dirt and gravel in it and while the snow in the big piles does eventually melt away, all that other stuff does not, weather experts say.
More insulation.
And that's why the mountain of snow looks "more like a mulch pile" and why a robin can be spotted on one of the mounds picking off material for it's nest.
So as we enter the warmth of Spring and Summer, keep in mind that like Frosty the Snowman, Mount Allen will be back again some day.
Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelmancuso Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.