Jersey Shore Beach Report: Labor Day Weekend Edition

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — The end of the 2024 beach season is upon us already, but this unofficial end of summer promises another decent time at the beach.

This look from Patch at the beach conditions for Labor Day weekend 2024 promises mostly sunshine, though there is some rain and some thunderstorms possible.

The surf is kicking up, so there is a moderate risk of rip currents — be sure you and your children heed the warnings from the lifeguards.

Just as a reminder, this weekend will be the last one where lifeguards are staffed at most beaches up and down the coast. Island Beach State Park will have lifeguards on weekends after Monday, and a few other towns will as well. Do not swim when lifeguards are not present. The risk of rip currents will continue, making it dangerous even for accomplished swimmers.

Related: Rip Currents In NJ: What To Look For, How To Survive Them

JELLYFISH
From the state Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group

Jellyfish are still around and the bays in particular still have significant populations of sea nettles, according to posts in the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group.

Comb jellyfish are being seen as well but they are considered harmless. Paul Bologna, the Montclair State biology professor and jellyfish expert, offers this advice for dealing with jellyfish stings:

Bring white vinegar, especially when you go to the bay beaches. If you or your child get stung, apply the vinegar. "This stops any stinging cells that have not fired in the tentacles," he said. After that, rinse the sting area with the salt water from the area where you are swimming or wading to gently wash away the tentacles. "DO NOT USE BOTTLED WATER to do this," he said, because bottled water causes an effect that will trigger the stinging cells to fire and continue to sting. After rinsing with salt water, use a clean cloth or towel to wipe the area clean.

There are various ways to deal with the sting depending upon the severity, including over-the-counter pain medicine, Benadryl type OTC medicines, calamine lotion for itching.

Read up on ways you can address the issues with jellyfish in the bays:'Stop The Sting' Jellyfish Study Offers Hope For NJ Bay, Lagoon Users

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. At night there is a slight chance of showers before 1 a.m. and mostly cloudy. Low around 70.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Increasing clouds, with a low around 71. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Overnight, partly cloudy with a low around 68.

Labor Day: The 2024 beach season closes out with lots of sunshine and a high in the mid-70s.

SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Moderate
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 6:21 a.m.
Sunset: 7:32 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Moderate
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 6:22 a.m.
Sunset: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
UV Index: Moderate
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 6:23 a.m.
Sunset: 7:28 p.m.

Labor Day

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Moderate
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 6:24 a.m.
Sunset: 7:27 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: High 6:11 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:42 a.m., Low 12:40 p.m., High 6:58 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:27 a.m., Low 1:26 p.m., High 7:40 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 8:07 a.m., Low 2:10 p.m., High 8:18 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: High 5:45 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:16 a.m., Low 12:04 p.m., High 6:32 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:01 a.m., Low 12:50 p.m., High 7:14 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 7:41 a.m., Low 1:34 p.m., High 7:52 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: High 5:36 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:07 a.m., Low 11:55 a.m., High 6:23 p.m.
• Sunday: High 6:52 a.m., Low 12:41 p.m., High 7:05 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 7:32 a.m., Low 1:25 p.m., High 7:43 p.m.

Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach

• Friday: High 5:59 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:30 a.m., Low 12:16 p.m., High 6:46 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:15 a.m., Low 1:02 p.m., High 7:28 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 7:55 a.m., Low 1:46 p.m., High 8:06 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: High 5:41 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:12 a.m., Low 12:08 p.m., High 6:28 p.m.
• Sunday: High 6:57 a.m., Low 12:54 p.m., High 7:10 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 7:37 a.m., Low 1:38 p.m., High 7:48 p.m.

Island Beach State Park (Sedge Islands)

• Friday: Low 3:47 p.m., High 9:11 p.m.
• Saturday: High 9:42 a.m., Low 4:36 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 5:23 a.m., High 10:27 a.m., Low 5:22 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 6:03 a.m., High 11:07 a.m., Low 6:06 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: High 5:56 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:26 a.m., Low 12:16 p.m., High 6:43 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:11 a.m., Low 1:03 p.m., High 7:24 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 7:51 a.m., Low 1:45 p.m., High 8:03 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: High 6:17 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:42 a.m., Low 12:30 p.m., High 7:01 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:23 a.m., Low 1:15 p.m., High 7:40 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 8 a.m., Low 1:54 p.m., High 8:15 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: High 7:09 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:36 a.m., Low 1:15 p.m., High 7:56 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:20 a.m., Low 2:03 p.m., High 8:38 p.m.
• Labor Day: High 8:59 a.m., Low 2:45 p.m., High 9:15 p.m.