A Pretty Decent Day Ahead For Ocean County Beaches

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - The rip current risk has dropped at Ocean County beaches and so have the wave heights, a welcome change from the past few days.

The National Weather Service says wind and wave conditions are not expected to support the development of rip currents. But rips are always possible, especially near jetties and other structures.

Chances are, you won't be swimming today anyway. Few beaches are guarded this early in the season and the ocean water temperature is a chilly 59 degrees. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night.

Wave heights will be around three feet, with easterly swells from 2 to 3 feet. The ultraviolet index is a 7, which the NWS considers high.

Skies will be sunny until 4 p.m., then become partly sunny with a chance of showers. The lightning threat is moderate, which means thunderstorms are possible. Highs today will be in the mid 70s. Winds will be from the southwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet arrived at 7:22 a.m. High tide will roll in at 1:25 p.m., followed by another low tide at 7:24 p.m.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller