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PHOTOS: Twice as much snow fell on Victoria 103 years ago today

Twice as much snow fell on Victoria 103 years ago today, and over a meter fell that month
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Snow coats the Dickens’ characters situated atop Athlone Court in Oak Bay, Feb. 8. (Jesse Laufer / News Staff)

Victoria residents in 1916 would have likely been thrilled with today’s weather.

Despite Environment Canada warning of gusting winds and 5 to 10 cm of snow today, on Feb. 8 1916 there was at least twice as much.

READ MORE: Environment Canada adds wind warning to Victoria snow warning

READ MORE: Schools will remain open until the end of the day

According to historical data from Environment Canada, 7.6 cm of snow landed on Victoria on this day 103 years ago. Unfortunately for those residents who weren’t fans of snow, that was one of the smaller dumps of the that month.

Almost 120 cm fell on Victoria during the first 10 days of February that year. That whole winter is remembered as one of the worst on record for Victoria.

The Oak Bay Archives has a collection of photos from that storm. Although people had cars back then you won’t many in the photos. Residents relied on horse plows for snow clearing, and old fashioned manual labour.

READ ALSO: Victoria blooms hurt by influx of snow and icy temperatures

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jesse.laufer@oakbaynews.com

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North Douglas Street after the Great Snow of 1916. (Courtesy Patrick Family Album/Oak Bay Archives)
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Snow plow clearing downtown Victoria street after the Great Snow of 1916. (Courtesy Patrick Family Album/Oak Bay Archives)
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Snow plow on Government Street, Victoria B.C. (Courtesy Patrick Family Album/Oak Bay Archives)
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Clearing Government at Johnson Street during the Great Snow of 1916. Hardware store in background. (Courtesy Patrick Family Album/Oak Bay Archives)
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Parliament Buildings, Victoria B.C. during great snow of 1916, with horse drawn sleigh on Government Street. (Courtesy Patrick Family Album/Oak Bay Archives)