You might try spraying the outside lightly with silicone spray to help prevent snow and ice from building up. It won't always work, but it might help.
As for monitoring the fan operation, there unfortunately isn't a real easy way to do that. You might suggest it as a feature to Acurite if the design and protocol is ever revised.
As for monitoring the fan operation, there unfortunately isn't a real easy way to do that. You might suggest it as a feature to Acurite if the design and protocol is ever revised.