Greater Victoria residents awoke to a blanketing of snow and numerous travel advisories on Saturday morning – the perfect excuse for a snow day spent close to home.
A blast of winter weather has gripped Vancouver Island this week and Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for Greater Victoria with up to 15 cm of snow expected on Feb. 13. Strong easterly winds are also blowing snow around and creating poor visibility for drivers.
Looks like McKenzie Avenue is playing hide and seek today â˜ƒï¸ pic.twitter.com/7e2W0MlXeR
— Devon Bidal (@devonscarlett) February 13, 2021
READ ALSO: City makes Victoria parkades free Saturday to clear streets for plowing
Authorities across Greater Victoria advised against all unessential travel. At 8 a.m., VicPD warned that many side roads were impassable as crews were focused on clearing main roads. Shortly after, the Saanich Fire Department reminded residents to check-in with their neighbours and stay off the “treacherous” roads.
Shout out to @CityOfVictoria & @EsquimaltBC crews who are working all out trying to keep the roads passable for emergency vehicles 🚑 🚒 🚓. You can help them by staying home with a hot cup of tea. #yyj #yyjsnow #yyjtraffic
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 13, 2021
While travel was out of the question, residents had free reign to enjoy the snow day as they pleased – from the comfort of indoors or bundled up for a day outside.
READ ALSO: Saanich closes Mount Doug to vehicle traffic over long weekend due to snow, increased pedestrian use
Some swapped their rain jackets for winter gear and headed out to shovel their walkways, toboggan down some slopes or build snow forts.
Keep your sidewalks clear. #Saanich pic.twitter.com/3PqzuRENRD
— Ed Wiebe (@edwiebe) February 13, 2021
Others stepped out to check in on the resident wildlife and make sure their hummingbird feeders were warm for their feathery neighbours as temperatures dropped below zero.
#yyj #hummingbirds #BCsnow #saanich The hummingbirds are happy with the warm breakfast. And old halogen desk lamp hung under the eaves and held fast with a twist tie to stop the swinging in the storm. pic.twitter.com/IyYuNuGyc7
— Rae H (@mawkishgrig) February 13, 2021
#yyj Snow Report: 17 centimetres (7 inches) and counting in #Colwood. If you can, stay home and enjoy it! @GoldstreamNews @VictoriaNews pic.twitter.com/PRwdyfwjtQ
— Katherine Engqvist (@kengqvist) February 13, 2021
How are you spending the snow day? Send your photos to vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca for a chance to be featured.
@devonscarlettLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Greater Victoria residents swapped their golf clubs for snow shovels on Feb. 13 as a deepening blanket of snow covered the streets. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Greater Victoria residents made sure to keep their hummingbird feeders warm for their feathery neighbours as temperatures dropped to -2 C on Feb. 13. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Some brave Saanich residents took to the ice on Panama Flats on Feb. 12 ahead of the snowfall. (Photo courtesy of Hollis Hodson)
Some brave Saanich residents took to the ice on Panama Flats on Feb. 12 ahead of the snowfall. (Photo courtesy of Hollis Hodson)
A Greater Victoria pup attempted to taste the fluffy snowflakes on Saturday morning. (Keri Moore/Facebook)
The cold didn’t phase Deep Cove pooch, Gracie, as she lay down right in the snow. (Maureen Vincent/Facebook)
17-month-old Isla enjoyed a wild toboggan ride in the snow on Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy Angela Maunders)
A Greater Victoria teen made the most of the snow day with a backyard toboggan hill. (Photo courtesy Kristy Woytkiw)
The Gorge Waterway was a winter wonderland on Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy Christine Cooper Davenport)
Greater Victoria residents made the most of the rare snow day. (Photo courtesy Meaghan Barker)
A Greater Victoria pup attempted to taste the fluffy snowflakes on Saturday morning. (Photo courtesy Ali Baggott)
Greater Victoria residents made the most of the rare snow day. (Photo courtesy Dannielle Siewertsen)
Some Metchosin residents spent time digging out their greenhouses on Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy Willy McCrea)
Sandra Harding walked down to the harbour in Sidney to admire the winter wonderland on Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy Sandra Harding)
