Thunderstorms, Rough Surf Ahead Today For Ocean County Beaches

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - If you were thinking of going to the beach today, you'd better wait until Saturday.

The National Weather Service is calling for cloudy skies, with thunderstorms and lightning likely. Highs at the beach today will be in the lower 80s. The lightning threat is high. Winds will be from the southwest at 10 to 15miles per hour.

The rip current risk is moderate. If for some crazy reason you're still planning on swimming, check with your local beach patrol first. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night. There's already been several deaths on Jersey Shore beaches this summer, including one at lsland Beach State Park on Thursday. Don't be a statistic.

Waves today will be from 4 to 5 feet, much higher than the calm seas earlier this week. Swells will be from the southeast at 2 to 3 feet. The ocean water temperature is 76 degrees.

The ultraviolet index is a 4, which the NWS considers moderate. Not much chance of working on your tan today.

But if you wait until Saturday, the forecast is for sunny skies with a high of 76 degrees.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet arrived at 8:11 a.m. High tide will roll in at 2:20 p.m., followed by another low tide at 8:51 p.m.

Have a nice day and be safe out there!

Photo: Courtesy of Surf City Beach Patrol