I would ask about policies at hospitals or other locations you are looking at. I have a neighbor in healthcare who sometimes rides out storms near (at?) Her hospital.

We do get some wintry weather, and we get some icy mornings when we get melting during the day and refreeze at night. We also do not spend as much as more northern states on snow/ice removal, as we don't get their frequency of winter weather.

The weather wouldn't be the make it break it for me. Columbia is a suburban city. It is easy to live here day to day if finances allow, but that is a change from your current life visit and decide if the feel is what you want.