Cloudy Skies, Possible Thunderstorms At Monmouth County Beaches Today

The National Weather Service is calling for mostly cloudy skies today at the beach with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, almost a carbon copy of the forecasts over the past few days.

Highs today will be in the mid-80s. Winds will be from the south at 15 miles per hour, becoming west in the afternoon.

The rip current risk is moderate today. Check with your local beach patrols before going into the water. Always swim on a guarded beach and never swim alone or at night. The NWS suggests you bring a flotation device with you in the water.

Waves will be around four feet high, with southerly swells of three feet. The ocean water temperature is 75 degrees.

The ultraviolet index is a 9, which the NWS considers very high. The lightning threat is also high, which means thunderstorms are likely or expected.

High tide at Belmar rolled in at 8:40 am. Low tide will arrive at 2:40 p.m, followed by another high tide at 8:56 p.m.

Photo: Patch file photo.