I am pretty well networked with my snowplowing collegues (competitiors) in my area and frequently talk to many (nextel) during a storm.
My question: Why not establish a local network with a central monitoring station to call guys when it snows? Everybody could specify call scenarios (Salt only, .5" 1" 1.5", etc.) and it could be staffed by a 24hr answering service (who are typically slow on the overnight anyway)
I think many guys would be willing to pay for this type of service at a minumal cost.
There's got to be a better way than getting up and looking out every 2 hours, especially when you get nothing. You feel like you worked half the night and have nothing to show for it.