Jersey Shore Beach Report: A Chill Start To August

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Normally August brings on the dog days of summer. Not this weekend. It will be a good weekend to chill at the beach ... just remember to bring a jacket.

Here is a look from Patch at the beach forecast for the first weekend of August.

The National Weather Service is calling for cooler than usual temperatures, with highs not expected to break 80 degrees at the beaches all week. There will be some breezes, too, so be prepared with a coverup if you get cold easily.

Rip current risk is high this weekend as a result of the thunderstorms that rolled through on Thursday. That means the danger to even the most experienced swimmers is significant. If you plan to go in the water, do so only on beaches where lifeguards are present. Do not swim after hours. Read up on what to look for to identify rip currents: Rip Currents In NJ: What To Look For, How To Survive Them

JELLYFISH
From the New Jersey Jellyspotters

Jellyfish are out in force now, especially in the bays and lagoons. They have arrived earlier than some summers, partly the result of colder water causing them to spawn earlier, according to Paul Bologna, the Montclair State biology professor and jellyfish expert.

In the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group there have been postings of bay nettles and mushroom cap jellyfish.

Bologna said the bay nettles in particular are thick: "In those bay beaches, bay regions and lagoons, there's hundreds of them. When you look off your dock, they're just everywhere." Read more: Increase In Jellyfish Sightings Seen At The Jersey Shore, Report Says

A reminder about how to treat jellyfish stings: Apply white vinegar immediately. This stops any stinging cells that have not fired in the tentacles. Rinse the sting area with the salt water you are in to wash away tentacles. Do not use bottled water to rinse as osmotic shock will cause stinging cells left behind to fire and continue to sting. Wipe the area clean with a clean towel or cloth. Benadryl or calamine lotion can help with itching, and over-the-counter pain medicines can be used for pain from the stings depending on the severity.

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: High temperature in the low 70s, with an overnight low of 69 degrees. A slight chance of showers gives way to mostly clear skies overnight. Northeast wind about 15 mph.

Saturday: Sunny with highs in the mid-70s. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 15 mph during the day, becoming southeast and calming overnight. Clear skies and a low of 68 overnight.

Sunday: Sunny with a high near 77. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Partly cloudy at night with a low around 69.

Monday-Thursday: Highs in the upper 70s for the rest of the week and mostly clear skies during the day. Lows in the low 70s.

Related: 2025 Jersey Shore Beach Guide: Beach Badges, Parking

SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday

Rip Current Risk: Very high
Surf Height: 3-5 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Mid-70s
Sunrise: 6:01 a.m.
Sunset: 8:11 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Very high
Surf Height: 3-5 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Mid-50s
Sunrise: 6:02 a.m.
Sunset: 8:10 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Moderate
Water Temperature: Mid-70s
Sunrise: 6:03 a.m.
Sunset: 8:09 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: Low 8:44 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:46 a.m., High 3:09 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:46 a.m., High 4:02 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: Low 7:22 a.m., High 1:51 p.m., Low 8:15 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:16 a.m., High 2:41 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:13 a.m., High 3:35 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: Low 8:25 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:27 a.m., High 2:55 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:23 a.m., High 3:50 p.m.

Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach

• Friday: Low 8:25 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:27 a.m., High 2:55 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:23 a.m., High 3:50 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: High 6:02 p.m.
• Saturday: High 5:41 a.m., Low 12:19 p.m., High 6:54 p.m.
• Sunday: High 6:31 a.m., Low 1:02 p.m., High 7:44 p.m.

Island Beach State Park (Sedge Islands)

• Friday: Low 8:29 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:31 a.m., High 3 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:26 a.m., High 3:54 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: Low 8:17 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:10 a.m., High 2:47 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:02 a.m., High 3:46 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: Low 8:23 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:16 a.m., High 2:58 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:08 a.m., High 4 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: Low 9:18 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 9:17 a.m., High 3:51 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 10:08 a.m., High 4:47 p.m.