After close to 6,000 households lost power Christmas Day due to downed trees, B.C. Hydro’s website reported on Wednesday evening fewer than five outages, identified as being north of Saanich.

Gusts that reached a reported 80 kilometres per hour on Christmas Day were gone, with Willows Beach thick with pedestrians with toddlers in strollers and dogs.

Drive B.C. cited a dozen areas of slippery, slushy or compacted snow on the Island Wednesday evening, but no weather warnings were in effect.

Eight people were sent to hospital with minor injuries after the Christmas Day snowfall triggered several accidents on the Malahat. Victoria stands a 40 per cent chance of showers today, said Environment Canada meteorologist Allan Coldwells.

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