Using cyclocross tires for winter riding
Considering that you will be hanging up your bike come ICE time... I would say that CX tires can/would be a bit more confidence inspiring that a typical slick tire.  However, I don't think that a CX tire would be much better (and likely more expensive) than a nice inverted tread commuting tire like the continental Touring Plus or an equivalent.

Having commuted in an area like you describe... cold wet, more slush than snow, etc... I have had very good luck with inverted tread commuting tires and they can be (are) usually a bit more pleasant on pavement than CX tires.