JERSEY SHORE, NJ — After a lengthy stretch of steamy days, the weather is finally shaping up for a beautiful beach weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Here’s a look from Patch at the beach conditions for July 19-21 if you’re looking to get out and enjoy some time on the sand.
Sunshine and moderate temperatures are forecast for the weekend, though water temperatures may still make it uncomfortable to go in the ocean for long stretches of time.
JELLYFISH
From the state Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Jellyspotters
Bay beaches and lagoons up and down the coast are seeing a large influx of sea lice — larval jellyfish — according to reports in the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group.
They are not the only jellyfish in the area, however: Bay nettles, mushroom jellyfish and lion’s mane jellyfish have been common over the last few weeks.
Clinging jellyfish were collected in northern Barnegat Bay and in North Wildwood, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection, but there have not been updates to the maps that show monitoring for clinging jellyfish.
THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Friday night, partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. In the evening there is a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Sunday evening, partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday-Thursday: Partly sunny Monday, but showers and thunderstorms become possible Tuesday through Thursday. High temperatures in the upper 70s.
Related: 2024 Jersey Shore Beach Guide: Beach Badges, Town Curfews
SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service
Friday
Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Upper 60s
Sunrise: 5:25 a.m.
Sunset: 8:25 p.m.
Saturday
Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: About 1 foot
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Upper 60s
Sunrise: 5:25 a.m.
Sunset: 8:25 p.m.
Sunday
Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: About 1 foot
Thunderstorm Potential: Low
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Upper 60s
Sunrise: 5:24 a.m.
Sunset: 8:26 p.m.
TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions
Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)
- Friday: Low 3:12 p.m., High 9:22 p.m.
- Saturday: High 10 a.m., Low 3:59 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 4:50 a.m., High 10:52 a.m., Low 4:44 p.m.
Long Branch Fishing Pier
- Friday: Low 2:36 p.m., High 8:56 p.m.
- Saturday: High 9:34 a.m., Low 3:23 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 4:14 a.m., High 10:26 a.m., Low 4:08 p.m.
Belmar
- Friday: High 8:34 a.m., Low 2:27 p.m., High 8:47 p.m.
- Saturday: High 9:25 a.m., Low 3:14 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 4:05 a.m., High 10:17 a.m., Low 3:59 p.m.
Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach
- Friday: Low 2:48 p.m., High 9:10 p.m.
- Saturday: High 9:48 a.m., Low 3:35 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 4:26 a.m., High 10:40 a.m., Low 4:20 p.m.
Seaside Heights
- Friday: High 8:39 a.m., Low 2:40 p.m.
- Saturday: High 9:30 a.m., Low 3:27 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 4:18 a.m., High 10:22 a.m., Low 4:12 p.m.
Island Beach State Park
- Friday: High 12:13 p.m., Low 6:40 p.m.
- Saturday: Low 7:34 a.m., High 1:04 p.m., Low 7:27 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 8:18 a.m., High 1:56 p.m.
Atlantic City (Ocean)
- Friday: Low 2:38 p.m., High 9:05 p.m.
- Saturday: High 9:40 a.m., Low 3:23 p.m.
- Sunday: High 10:28 a.m., Low 4:09 p.m.
Wildwood Crest
- Friday: Low 2:42 p.m., High 9:16 p.m.
- Saturday: High 9:43 a.m., Low 3:27 p.m.
- Sunday: High 10:31 a.m., Low 4:13 p.m.
Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean
- Friday: Low 3:33 p.m., High 10:16 p.m.
- Saturday: High 10:48 a.m., Low 4:20 p.m.
- Sunday: Low 5:26 a.m., High 11:36 a.m., Low 5:07 p.m.