Snow and ice on roads is an expensive and dangerous problem, not only for cities, but for motorists and businesses.  The cities have to pay for a fleet of trucks to dump salt and other chemicals on roads, as well as plow.  Motorists get into an increased amount of traffic accidents in poor driving conditions and also have to deal with the after effects of all of that salt destroying the undercarriage of their cars.  Businesses suffer legal claims from not being able to keep their sidewalks clear or increased costs from plowing and shoveling.