Waves Heights Of 9 to 10 Feet Forecast For Today On Ocean County Beaches

Hurricane Maria is not expected to make landfall anywhere near the Ocean County coast. But the storm is already churning up massive waves of up to 10 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

A high risk of rip currents will bring dangerous and life-threatening conditions today. People visiting the unguarded beaches should stay out of the water. Wave heights of 9 to 10 feet will be accompanied by southeasterly swells of 7 to 8 feet. The ocean water temperature is 72 degrees.

Please remember that very few beaches are guarded this late in the year. Several people died over the past few days and more than 100 have had to be rescued by emergency personnel.

Skies today will be mostly cloudy, with highs in the upper 70s. Winds will be from the northeast at 10 miles per hour.

Despite the clouds, the ultraviolet index is a 6, which the National Weather Service considers high. there is no lightning threat.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet rolled in 6:35 a.m. High tide will arrive at 12:50 p.m., followed by another low tide at 7:21 p.m.

Photo: Belmar Mayor Matthew Doherty