The mesh covers are really not designed for winter use - if someone told you they were, then you were misled.
They are for using during the fall (leaf dropping) season, once the leaves are down, they are to be removed with the leaves and the water will stay in your pool, you are then to cover (or not) it with a proper winter cover.
I don't like winter covers, they can damage the pool more than leaving it uncovered.
Winter covers will collect water/snow on top, this pushes the cover down into the water below - displacing the water, if you use plugs, the level will rise, if you don't, likely the water will run into your plumbing if you leave it connected and give you problems. AG pools can collapse from too much weight on the cover - walls will get pulled in.
I leave mine open without plumbing connected, water level rises, if it's liquid it'll run out and away from the pool using an angled board placed under the return opening, if it's snow that's building up, it'll run out when it melts.
You really don't collect much crap after the leaves come down for the remaining winter months - maybe some dust/dirt, it's less work for me to toss in the vac for 2-3 days in the spring then it is to deal with putting the winter cover on, securing it, saving the pool from nasty winds getting under a cover etc and removing all the stuff come springtime.
Pool tends to be clean and clear come spring - outside of the dust on the floor which vacs up nicely.
AND, as a bonus, if it gets warm fast and there's no real time to open the pool, I can always throw in bleach to hold back algae where with the cover on it's a pain to do.....
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