>10-20 degrees, snow, slush, crud, low humidity

With the weather conditions such, have you considered an electrical
problem?  Clean your grounds, check and test distributor cap, rotor, and
plug wires, is the alternator putting out the proper voltage - that could
be your whining.

There is a screen on the inlet side of the fuel pump that can accumulate
with crud and strain the pump, you might try cleaning this out.

And do clean out those wheel wells.  :-)

Good luck and best holiday wishes,

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA
1984   Vanagon Westfalia     "Gertrude"
1986.5 Quantum Syncro Wagon<--Name this car!
1991   Jetta Eco Diesel      "Liesel"