How much snow is "a lot" of snow?

Weather reports now can predict, within a few hours, when it will begin to snow. Many people who live in snow-prone climates have vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive.

The weather forecasters today predict that we will get about four inches of snow. At every stop we made this morning, people were talking about coming "big snow."

Is a four-inch snowfall "a lot" of snow? Or do four inches of snow seem like a lot of snow because we have had so little snow this winter?

During the way-back-when times, it seemed like we didn't think there was much snow until we broke the eight- to ten-inch mark. And everyone slid around the narrow, city side streets in boat-like, front-wheel drive Buicks, Cadillacs, and Fords.

Suburban Chicago, January 1962. Mom reaches the end of the driveway. She must be on her way to work. I have been playing with the sled.

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Suburban Chicago, January 1962. The neighbor to our north has finished shoveling, and he and his son have taken out the trash.

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 Suburban Chicago, January 1962. Mom talks with the neighbor to our south.

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Suburban Chicago, January 1962. My Toronto Cousin enjoys the snow. She's from Canada, and Canadians are used to winter weather.

UPDATE: Commenter Peter Hoh correctly notes that I should have referred to the 1960s cars as "rear-wheel drive" vehicles, not "front-wheel drive." Even my technology memory lacks chronology.