I have a bit of an unfair advantage in dealing with snowstorms because I have spent time in Alaska, but here goes:
How would the population and day to day life be affected?
Depending on the ferocity of the storm, it would most likely facilitate the closing of all schools and non-essential workplaces. The roads would be icy and visibility would inevitably be reduced to unsafe levels. Due to this, the people would most likely either voluntarily shelter in their homes or receive direct government orders to do so.
How would the government respond to this?
First of all, food and other key supplies would be of paramount importance. If the storm is bad enough, some people may not be able to go out and replenish these necessities. As such, the government would assemble a volunteer force of people with bigger/4x4 vehicles to work contractually to go out and get supplies and then distribute them as necessary. The government would also provide temporary leave support to anyone who is unable to work due to the storm. This would make sure people wouldn’t be unnecessarily affected by the storm financially speaking. Other than that, there’s not much else to be done.
