Rip Current Risk, Wave Heights Increase At Ocean County Beaches

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - Skies will be mostly cloudy and the surf will be rougher than it has been all week at Ocean County beaches, the National Weather Service says.

There's also a moderate risk of rip currents. If you're heading to a guarded beach today, be sure and check with the local beach patrol about conditions first. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night. Don't become one of this summer's statistics.

Waves will be from 4 to 5 feet, much higher than earlier this week. Swells will be from the east at 3 to 5 feet. The ocean water temperature has warmed up to 69 degrees.

Skies today will be mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers. Highs today will only reach the mid 70s. Winds will be from the east at 15 miles per hour. The ultraviolet index is a 5, which the NWS considers moderate.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet will arrive at 10:19 a.m. High tide will roll in at 4:26 p.m., followed by another low tide at 10:52 p.m.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller