Ocean County Beach Report: High Risk Of Rip Currents Today

The National Weather Service is calling for a high risk of rip currents today, which means potentially "life-threatening conditions" exist on Ocean County beaches.

"People visiting the beaches should stay out of the high surf," the NWS said in its marine forecast for today.

If you are planning to go to the beach, find one that's guarded if you can. Most lifeguard coverage is over after Labor Day. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night.

Wave heights will be around 5 feet, with southeasterly swells of 3 to 4 feet. The ocean water temperature has dropped to 71 degrees.

"So despite the sunshine and nice weather, this is not an ordinary day at the beach," according to the NWS Mount Holly office. "Follow the advice of local officials and lifeguards. If none are present, then a best practice in today's situation is ankle deep only! Six NJ shore fatalities so far this summer were directly related to rip currents, with other fatalities due to high surf and wave related injuries."

Skies will be sunny, with highs today will only be in the mid-70s. Winds will be from the west at around 10 miles per hour.

The ultraviolet index is a 6, which the NWS considers high. There is no lightning threat.

High tide will roll in at 9:41 a.m. Low tide will arrive at 4:08 p.m., followed by another high tide at 10:02 p.m.

Photo: Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol