I think the xkcd was Moreso a Proof that melting large existing quantities of snow is incredibly difficult. If They're proactive with it and start running it before the snow pours then I'd assume its a lot easier to melt comparatively smaller quantities of snow over a large hot surface area.
I do agree that this requires people be smart and proactive and we haven't seen a lot of that lately. But hey, this is something they're being proactive about. Though it seems a little strange to assume they won't at least test and use the new expensive infrastructure they put in, no?
As a fellow celete player, I'm sorry your experience was like that, but I'm also currently using hall effect sticks on both my 8bitdo ultimate and my guillikit kong 2, it feels absolutely mint on both with no tinkering. I'm gonna have to ask you to name and shame the hall effect sticks you're using, please. Thanks!