Weather Wimps
According to the latest 2022 PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, almost half (46%) of Northwest residents admit to being at least a little “wimpy” when the temps start to drop. How about you? Can you handle the winter conditions here?
Some people say that climate conditions have been changing over time. Compared to 10 years ago or when you first moved here, have you noticed any changes in the Pacific Northwest climate?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 837 | 420 | 417 | Total |
| 75 | 77 | 73 | Yes |
| 16 | 15 | 17 | No |
| 9 | 8 | 10 | Don’t know |
Which of these best describes the primary way that the climate in your area has changed?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 629 | 322 | 307 | Those who noticed changes |
| 12 | 14 | 10 | The climate is milder now than it was before |
| 87 | 85 | 89 | The climate has more extreme conditions now than it did before (hotter days, colder days, more rain or snow, etc.) |
In your opinion, how likely is it that these climate changes will be long-lasting?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 629 | 322 | 307 | Total |
| 47 | 47 | 48 | Extremely likely |
| 31 | 30 | 32 | Very likely |
| 14 | 14 | 14 | Somewhat likely |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | Not too likely |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | Not at all likely |
| 5 | 6 | 3 | Don’t know |
How well prepared do you personally feel you are to deal with more extreme temperatures and/or more extreme weather conditions?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 835 | 419 | 416 | Total |
| 14 | 16 | 12 | Very well prepared |
| 52 | 52 | 52 | Somewhat well prepared |
| 26 | 25 | 26 | Not too prepared |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | Not at all prepared |
And how well prepared do you think your city (or county if you don’t live in a city) is to help people deal with more extreme temperatures, like operating cooling centers when it’s hot or having enough snow plows to keep people safe when traveling on snowy or icy roads?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 835 | 419 | 416 | Total |
| 10 | 13 | 8 | Very well prepared |
| 37 | 33 | 40 | Somewhat well prepared |
| 36 | 38 | 34 | Not too prepared |
| 12 | 11 | 13 | Not at all prepared |
What about in the winter when you have the first freeze or the first snowfall? Which of these items do you have on-hand (meaning you wouldn’t have to go buy them)?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 838 | 420 | 418 | Total |
| 73 | 73 | 74 | An ice scraper |
| 47 | 48 | 46 | A snow shovel |
| 38 | 34 | 43 | Chains for your vehicle |
| 28 | 31 | 24 | Salt for melting ice |
| 19 | 20 | 18 | A sled |
| 5 | 4 | 6 | Other |
| 12 | 11 | 12 | None of these |
Some people say that those who live in the Pacific Northwest are only familiar with a mild climate and have a harder time than others adjusting to extreme temperatures (either extremely cold temperatures or extremely hot ones). In your opinion, are most Pacific Northwesterners “wimpy” when it comes to adjusting to very cold or very hot conditions?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 837 | 420 | 417 | Total |
| 12 | 15 | 8 | Pacific Northwesterners are very wimpy |
| 34 | 33 | 35 | They are somewhat wimpy |
| 26 | 26 | 27 | They are a tiny bit wimpy |
| 20 | 17 | 23 | They are not wimpy at all |
| 8 | 9 | 7 | Don’t know |
Some people say that those who live in the Pacific Northwest are only familiar with a mild climate and have a harder time than others adjusting to extreme temperatures (either extremely cold temperatures or extremely hot ones). In your opinion, are most Pacific Northwesterners “wimpy” when it comes to adjusting to very cold or very hot conditions?
| Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Male | Female | |
| 18 | 13 | 9 | 7 | Pacific Northwesterners are very wimpy |
| 30 | 34 | 30 | 39 | They are somewhat wimpy |
| 29 | 24 | 25 | 28 | They are a tiny bit wimpy |
| 16 | 17 | 28 | 18 | They are not wimpy at all |
Why do you think they are wimpy?
| Total | Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 599 | 311 | 288 | At least a tiny bit wimpy |
| 54 | 56 | 51 | When they do deal with weather extremes, they’re not prepared with the right equipment |
| 47 | 46 | 48 | They don’t have to deal with many temperature extremes where they live so they don’t know how to adjust |
| 26 | 26 | 25 | They are not acclimated to the weather conditions/ They haven’t had time to get acclimated |
| 19 | 20 | 17 | They don’t have or carry around the right clothing and/or accessories, like a raincoat or umbrella |
| 11 | 11 | 11 | They are just wimps / They are not strong and can’t adapt |
Why do you think they are wimpy?
| Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Male | Female | |
| 50 | 60 | 48 | 54 | When they do deal with weather extremes, they’re not prepared with the right equipment |
| 43 | 48 | 50 | 47 | They don’t have to deal with many temperature extremes where they live so they don’t know how to adjust |
| 22 | 30 | 23 | 27 | They are not acclimated to the weather conditions/ They haven’t had time to get acclimated |
| 27 | 15 | 23 | 13 | They don’t have or carry around the right clothing and/or accessories, like a raincoat or umbrella |
| 17 | 7 | 17 | 7 | They are just wimps / They are not strong and can’t adapt |
Why do you think they are wimpy?
| Seattle Metro | Portland Metro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 35 | 35 + | < 35 | 35 + | |
| 61 | 53 | 54 | 49 | When they do deal with weather extremes, they’re not prepared with the right equipment |
| 45 | 46 | 57 | 43 | They don’t have to deal with many temperature extremes where they live so they don’t know how to adjust |
| 30 | 24 | 33 | 20 | They are not acclimated to the weather conditions/ They haven’t had time to get acclimated |
| 16 | 23 | 18 | 17 | They don’t have or carry around the right clothing and/or accessories, like a raincoat or umbrella |
| 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | They are just wimps / They are not strong and can’t adapt |
About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll
PEMCO Mutual Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by FBK Research of Seattle, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about driving habits and attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 420 respondents in the Seattle Metro (King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties) region and 418 respondents in the Portland Metro (Multnomah, Marion, Clackamas, Washington Counties) region yields an accuracy of +/- 5.0% respectively at the 95% confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.
About PEMCO Insurance
PEMCO Insurance is the Defender of Your Northwest, providing auto, home, renters and boat coverage. We are consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee expertise and social impact. Our Mutual Good programs raise the achievement levels for youth in education; build stronger, greener environments; and increase safety at home, on the road and at play. Our mission: Free our communities to worry less and live more.
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