Facts:

FWD will pull out in snow better than RWD for the simple fact that the drive wheels are located in the front where your car has the most weight.

If you are in a turn in FWD and you apply throttle and you lose traction, you will understeer (plow forward) as opposed to oversteer (spin out). Understeer for most people is easier to correct, as most of the time you ease off the throttle and regain traction. Oversteer you need to countersteer to correct. That is why most people believe FWD is safer, when in reality, both situations can result in you losing control of your vehicle.

Trying to get up steep hills may cause a problem on RWD, especially from a stand still.

Bottom line:
RWD is fine in snow where it really counts, as long as you drive responsibly. You may have a problem getting out of the occasional parking spot especially if you live in conditions like I do in NYC where there's tons of parallel parking only. Other than that, you should be okay.

It has been suggested that during the winter you load a few bags of sand (or was it gravel or rock salt?) in the trunk for added weight. It also then allows you to open up the bags of sand and dump it on the ground for traction should the need arise.

Snow tires will also help a great amount. If you do get snow tires, the narrower ones (up to a certain point) are better. 185/65R15 as opposed to 195/60R15. This is true because the narrowed tiring allows the tire to 'cut' through the snow down to the pavement, as opposed to the wider one simply riding on top of the snow.

FYI, I have never lost control of my Volvo in the snow. Drive safely, drive reasonably, drive responsibly, and I think you'll be fine.
--
Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'