I missed "78" because I was overseas. When I did return to the region I was surprised to see just how much people respond to the forecasted snowstorms.
I do not recall things being so bad before 1978 where people would automatically go into a panic mode. I figure that the supermarket companies encourage the television stations to hype these things up. Supermarkets tend to advertise a lot and so they wield considerable local clout!
This snow season is however shaping up as a big one.
I'll never forget one 4th of July back in the late 70's. The weathermen hyped good weather for the weekend, when it was obvious it was going to rain the entire time. I'm sure the charcoal and hot dog bun industry put them up to it. Since then, I've always been suspicious of the profit motive in weather reporting.
I have always surmised that weather "forecasters" also diminish and understate bad weather when events such as rib cook-offs or community festivals are taking place.