I have to say (showing my age) that I remember 1982 and it was something else. I don't think any of the younger members on here have ever seen snow like it.
The schools were shut for at least 2 weeks and there were announcements on the radio (CBC at the time before all the red dragon and capital stations) that parents were asked to stop their children riding their bikes across Roath Park lake as it was frozen solid.
If we had an event anywhere near as bad as it was then I think a lot of people would be shocked and there will be major issues. 30cm sounds a lot but I lived in Roath at the time not really considered an area with any elevation and the snow was waist deep in our street with drifts up to the upper floors of the houses in places.
We will have to see how this compares but it would have to go some to get close to 1982.