Rough Surf, High Rip Current Risk On Long Beach Island Today

LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ Although some beaches are still guarded today, it's not definitely not a good day for swimming.

The rip current risk is high. The National Weather Service is blunt.

"Dangerous and potentially life threatening conditions exist for all people entering the surf," the NWS says. "People visiting the beaches should stay out of the high surf."

Waves will be from 5 to 6 feet, with southeasterly swells of 2 feet.The ocean water temperature is 76 degrees, but that could vary depending upon the beach.

Two Long Beach Island towns still have daily and weekend lifeguard coverage. Ship Bottom will have daily coverage at the 7th, 15th and 20th streets through Sept. 30.

Harvey Cedars will have daily coverage at the Middlesex Avenue and 80th Street beaches through Sept. 9. After that, the Middlesex Avenue beach will be guarded each day through Sunday, Sept. 30. If the weather holds up, the 80th Street beach may be guarded on weekends as well.

Today will be cloudy on LBI, with showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. The heat wave is over. Highs will only be in the mid 70s. The ultraviolet index is a 1, which the NWS considers low. So don't worry about working on tan today.

The lightning threat is moderate, which means thunderstorms are possible. Winds will be brisk, from the northeast at 15 to 20 miles per hour.

High tide at Barnegat Inlet arrived at 7:01 a.m. Low tide will roll in at 1:18, followed by another high tide at 7:22 p.m.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller