Victoria is normally getting ready for its annual spring blossom count this time of year, but any buds were buried by a major snowstorm Wednesday.
The snow hit during the morning rush, dumping at least 20 centimetres in downtown Victoria while outlying areas such as Sooke and Saanich got even more.
Buses and cars were slipping and sliding and police urged drivers to stay off the roads if they could.
Schools in Sooke were closed, those in Saanich closed a hour early and while Victoria schools remained open the school district cancelled bus service.
All four Catholic schools in the Victoria area closed, along with several colleges.
The snow storm is at least the third this winter to hit normally snow-free Victoria.
