Massive snow piles that accumulated over an exceptionally snowy winter in Canada have defied a recent heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
A large snow heap near Toronto’s Downsview Park, which has persisted since winter, has maintained its structure despite the record-breaking heat. This pile is a remnant of a winter that saw significant snowfall in the region. Toronto Pearson International Airport recorded 18 inches of snow on January 26, a record for a single day dating back to the 1960s.
Another substantial snow pile, measuring 18 feet tall and 100 feet wide, in Barrie, approximately 60 miles north of Toronto, has also resisted melting. Initially stacked in winter, these piles now present a significantly altered appearance.
The surface of the Barrie snow pile has turned a gray color, a stark contrast to its original white. The Toronto snow pile has become compressed with debris, resembling dirt more than snow under the summer sun.
Officials attribute the snow piles' resilience to their dense compaction, a technique often used in landfills. Dave Friary, director of operations for Barrie, explained that compacting the snow helps it last longer.
Both snow formations are slowly melting and are expected to completely disappear by August.