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King tides rolling in along coast this weekend

The high tides are forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday; district urges caution at Whiffin Spit
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Extreme high tides are in the forecast for this weekend. The District of Sooke is urging the public to use extra caution on beaches and shorelines. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

The District of Sooke is urging the public to use extra caution on beaches and shorelines this weekend, as one of the biggest tides pulls water to its highest point.

King tide is a colloquial term for the highest tides. These kinds of tides happen due to extra gravitational forces on Earth’s oceans that are produced by specific alignments of the sun and the moon.

“Extreme high tides combined with surf may create hazardous conditions,” Norm McInnis, the District of Sooke’s chief administrative officer, stated in a press release Friday.

The king tides will occur at approximately noon from Jan. 10-12.

Parks Canada reported that “very large wave conditions will create strong currents and shoreline flooding. Beaches can go from completely dry to several feet under water in only seconds. These surges can be powerful and unpredictable.”

“(People) are advised to avoid in-water activities. Shoreline users are advised to stay well back from the water’s edge especially along rocky shorelines or islands.”

Whiffin Spit parking lot may be closed temporarily to protect visitor safety, McInnis said.

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Kevin Laird

About the Author: Kevin Laird

It's my passion to contribute to the well-being of the community by connecting people through the power of reliable news and storytelling.
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