Cloudy Skies, Chance Of Thunderstorms On Ocean County Beaches

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - The bad news is today will be mostly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Ocean County beaches.

The good news is the ocean water temperature is slowly ramping up to the point where you won't shudder when you go in the water. Today it's 69 degrees, the National Weather Service says.

But make sure whatever beach you plan to head to is guarded. Many are still unguarded, at least until most schools are out for the summer. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night.

There's a low risk of rip currents today. But rips can still occur near jetties and other structures.
Waves will be around 2 feet today, with southeast swells of 2 feet in the morning, becoming light later on.

The ultraviolet index is an 8, which the NWS considers very high. The lightning threat is low, which means there is little chance of thunderstorms. Winds will be from the northeast at 5 to 10 miles per hour.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet arrived at 9:27 a.m. High tide will roll in at 3:30 p.m., followed by another low tide at 9:4 p.m.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller