Snow and slush covers 196th Street Southwest in Lynnwood as traffic moves along the morning of Dec. 9. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Snow and slush covers 196th Street Southwest in Lynnwood as traffic moves along the morning of Dec. 9. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

A warm feeling when snow’s in the forecast

Did you know there’s MORE SNOW in the forecast?

Probably not much, and not for another week or two, but did your heart flutter when you saw those words? If it did, you might be a Puget Sounder. Even a hint of snow in the forecast triggers a full-on freakout complete with crisis coverage in the local media and a mad rush to the grocery store to hoard beef jerky.

In our latest poll at HeraldNet.com, we asked how you feel about snow, and we broke the vote down into three categories:

The enthusiasts. A majority — 55 percent — answered “bring it on!” These are the people who ask for REI gift cards for Christmas, who always have their Gore-Tex and snowboards handy, who love a chance to show what their all-wheel-drive cars can do, yet who somehow still just can’t make it to work when it snows.

The Goldilocks. These are the 18 percent in our poll who answered “it’s fine until it becomes an inconvenience.” They want just enough snow to make the scenery pretty, but not enough to muck up the roads. It’s got to be just right. You can spot a Goldilocks from the characteristic whine when a full winter passes without snow. It’s very similar to the whine they produce when snow has made it too risky to drive and they’ve been stuck in their house for a few hours.

The chionophobes. Did you know there’s a word for people who dislike or fear snow? Yup, chionophobia. Twenty-seven percent in our poll said “it should stay in the mountains” along with other scary things like grizzly bears, mountain lions and chipmunks. Good news for these folks: As global warming turns Everett into San Diego over the next century, it’s bound to become a chionophobe’s paradise.

And when future Puget Sounders sip their Mai Tais under palm trees, they’ll wonder what we all were freaking out about.

— Doug Parry, parryracer@gmail.com; @parryracer

Speaking of the future, Amazon recently made its first drone delivery. That has us A) Looking to the skies for our new AP Stylebooks; and B) Wondering what your feelings are toward the tech giant possibly heli-droning your deliveries.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The summer concert series will take place each Thursday, July 10 to Aug. 28 at the Port of Everett.

Jordan Hoffman-Nelson watches the store cameras for a couple hours each day, often detecting 5 to 10 thefts in a single sitting. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
At a Lynnwood thrift store, rising shoplifting mirrors larger retail crime surge

Employees at Bella’s Voice remain alert for theft on a daily basis. They aren’t the only ones.

Connect Casino Road Director Alvaro Gullien speaks at an Everett City Council meeting to share community thoughts regarding affordable housing and preventing displacement of those that live along Casino Road on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will Everett’s comprehensive plan work in Casino Road?

Residents in the diverse, tight-knit neighborhood want “Investment without displacement.” The city’s plan will help achieve that, staff say.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.