'Bring it on': Vancouver Islanders prepare for up to 10 cm of snow

With mixed feelings, it appears the first sign of winter is here. In downtown Victoria, snow began to fall early Monday morning.

"It’s coming, we’re getting ready for it," said one man as he was spreading ice-melt on a parking lot on Pandora Street.

At the top of the Malahat, commuters were observing the snowfall.

"It always comes with a little bit of surprise," said Yusuf Nasihi as he pulled over on the Malahat Summit for a picture.

"It’s got a bit of a mystical aura to it, so I guess it’s a bit enchanting," said Bader Said, a friend of Nasihi.

Snow was also falling in Duncan.

"We’re ready, bring it on," said resident Garry Durham.

Like it or not, snowfall warnings are in effect for eastern Vancouver Island and Greater Victoria on Monday. Five to 10 centimetres of snow could fall over the next 24 hours, according to Environment Canada.

"Especially this evening, into the overnight and possibly into Tuesday morning," said Bobby Sekhon, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.