VANCOUVER -- High winds and tide have led to closures on some waterfront walkways in Vancouver, the city's park board says.
In a social media post just after 2 p.m. Friday, the park board says it had closed the seawall between Third Beach and Lions Gate Bridge because of a king tide cresting at 3:30 p.m.
There were also high winds in the area, the post says.
"We are asking pedestrians and cyclists to leave the area until further notice," the park board's post says.
The pier at Jericho beach was also impacted by high winds and tides and was also closed.
A photo posted to Twitter showed strong waves and water lapping over the edge of the seawall, onto the walkway.
The park board didn't indicate in its initial post when the seawall might open.
Forecast for 6 metre waves near Tofino
Pacific Rim National Park, south of Tofino on Vancouver Island, is under a wave hazard advisory from Parks Canada as experts forecast waves up to six metres high lasting for four days.
“Visitors are advised to avoid water activities and to use extreme caution if entering the water,” read the first warning of the day. “Shoreline users are advised to stay well back from the water’s edge especially along rocky shorelines and islands.”
Another bulletin anticipated the king tides will continue through the weekend, hitting four metre highs throughout the park around noon on Sunday and Monday.
Long Beach, one of the most popular areas in the region, between Tofino and Ucluelet, is also now subject to a wave hazard warning with high levels expected Friday through Saturdy and extreme levels on Sunday.
Extreme indicates "large breaking waves over four metres combined with very strong rip currents,” according to an explanation of the categories.
“Large swells combined with high tides may produce beach flooding. Use extreme caution and stay well back from the water’s edge," it reads.
