A Beautiful Day Ahead, But Most Beaches Still Unguarded

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ - It looks like a beautiful day ahead for Monmouth County beaches. The temperature will finally break 80 degrees.

But just look, don't swim. Most beaches in our area are still unguarded. Several people who couldn't wait had to be rescued on Tuesday at Island Beach State Park when they were trapped in a rip current. Lifeguards were not on duty, but a small crew working at the park were able to save them.

There's a moderate risk of rip currents today. Don't swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night. Don't be a statistic.

Waves will be around 4 feet today, with southerly swells of 3 feet. The ocean water temperature is still a chilly 63 degrees.

Skies will be sunny today, with highs in the lower 80s. Winds will be from the west at 15 miles per hour. The ultraviolet index is an 8, which the National Weather Service considers very high. If you're planning on working on a tan, bring the sunscreen.

High tide at Belmar arrived at 8:19 a.m. Low tide will roll in at 2:19 p.m., followed by another high tide at 8:34 p.m.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller