Coastal Ocean County Beach Report For July 7, 2017

Skies today will start out cloudy, with areas of fog, scattered showers and thunderstorms. But things will brighten up later this afternoon, when skies will turn partly sunny.

The showers could produce locally heavy flooding with possible flooding. Highs will be in the lower 80s. Winds will be from the southwest at 5 miles per hour, switching over to the northwest in the afternoon.

There's a low risk of rip currents. But they can still occur near jetties and other structures. Always swim on a guarded beach and never swim alone or at night. The NWS suggests that you always bring a flotation device with you when you go in the water.

Waves will be from 4 to 5 feet, with southeasterly swells of 3 feet. The ocean water temperature will warm up to 69 degrees today.

The ultraviolet index is a 7, which the NWS considers high. The lightning threat is moderate, which means that thunderstorms are possible.

High tide at Barnegat Inlet rolled in at 7:18 a.m. Low tide will arrive at 2:23 p.m, followed by another high tide at 7:34 p.m.

Image: Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol