Monmouth County Beach Report: High Rip Current Risk, Building Seas

The National Weather Service is calling for a high risk of rip currents today on Monmouth County beaches, along with building seas in the afternoon.

"People visiting the beaches should stay out of the high surf," the NWS says.

Very few beaches are guarded full-time after Labor Day, so even if you can find one, you shouldn't go in the water.

If you really have to go swimming, Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island will have guards on the Middlesex Avenue Beach on weekdays through Sunday, Sept. 31. Guards will also be on duty on weekends at the Middlesex Avenue and 80th Street beaches through the rest of the month.

Waves will be from 2 to 3 feet, building to around 4 feet in the afternoon, with southeasterly swells from 3 to 4 feet. The ocean water is 69 degrees.

Skies today will vary from mostly sunny to partly sunny. Highs will be in the upper 70s. Winds will be from the northwest at 5 miles per hour, before switching over to the south at 10 miles per hour in the afternoon.

The ultraviolet index is a 6, which the National Weather Service consider high. There is no lightning threat today.
Low tide at Belmar rolled in at 6:05 a.m. High tide will arrive at 12:39 p.m., followed by another high tide at 7:09 p.m.

Photo: Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol