Dangerous Rip Currents May Affect Ocean County Beaches This Week

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - Dangerous rip currents are possible by the middle of the week, thanks to Tropical Storm Chris lurking off the Atlantic Coast, the National Weather Service says.

The rip current risk for today is moderate. Several Ocean County beach patrols reported problems with rips over the weekend. The Beach Haven beach patrol limited swimmers to "knee deep" restrictions.

Be sure to check with your local beach patrol if you plan on swimming today. Always swim on a guarded beach and never swim alone or at night. Several people have already died on Jersey beaches because they swam on unguarded beaches. Never swim alone or at night. Don't be a statistic this summer.

Skies will be sunny today, with highs in the lower 80s. Winds will be from the north at 5 miles per hour, shifting to the south around 5 to 10 miles per hour in the afternoon. There's no rain in sight, so there's no lightning threat.

The National Weather Service has also issued an air quality alert for Ocean County today. Unhealthy levels of ozone could spell problems for sensitive individuals, those with respiratory problems and the elderly.

Waves today will be around 3 feet, with easterly swells of 3 feet. The ocean water temperature is 71 degrees.
The ultraviolet index is a 9, which the NWS considers very high, so don't forget the sunscreen.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet will arrive at 10:53 a.m. High tide will roll in at 5:12 pm., followed by another low tide at 11:58 p.m.

Have a nice day and be careful out there!

Photo: Courtesy of Barnegat Light Beach Patrol