Adam, IM NOT RUNNING A SNORKEL!!!!!!! HAHAHA Im not worried about the ice of anything, that'd be a lot to block the whole cowl no to mention the air coming from sides and underneath.. If you pull that plastic piece by the windshield you'll see the area Im talking about. In addition, Im sensing a transition to North Carolina always wanted to live there and even if I did stay throw another winter my XK is garage kept, ice and snow building up in that spot is a rare occurence