Jersey Shore Beach Report: A Wet Weekend Gives Way To Sun

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — If you're beginning a weeklong vacation at the Jersey Shore this weekend, we have good news and bad news.

The bad news is the weekend is going to start with rain, and a lot of it, but the sun is expected to peek through after heavy rain from a low pressure system clears. The good news is it'll be a good time to catch up on that show you haven't binged yet.

Here's a look from Patch at the beach conditions for the weekend and a preliminary glance at next week.

The National Weather Service is calling for rain and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, with sunshine returning on Sunday. When the sunshine returns, temperatures are expected to be more moderate than they have been over the last few weeks.

Rip current risk is moderate this weekend, according to the weather service.

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

Jellyfish sightings continue in the bays in particular, where water is somewhat warmer than at the ocean beaches along the shore.

Clinging jellyfish were collected in northern Barnegat Bay and in North Wildwood in May and early June, but the state Department of Environmental Protection's monitoring maps for clinging jellyfish have not shown recent updates. That doesn't mean the quarter-sized jellyfish aren't present. If you're wading, it's wise to take precautions because of the potent sting these creatures pack, says Paul Bologna, the Montclair State professor and jellyfish expert who operates the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group.

That group has seen multiple reports of mushroom cap jellyfish washing up on beaches up and down New Jersey. They sting though not to the level of clinging jellyfish. Bologna said mushroom cap jellyfish are common at the Shore but may be more noticeable because warmer water is bringing them closer.

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely into the evening, with heavy rainfall possible. High temperatures near 77. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Storms are expected to continue into the overnight hours and thunderstorms are possible. Patchy fog, and low of 71 degrees. South wind at 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: Showers continue — the chance of precipitation is 90 percent — and rainfall is expected to be heavy. There is a possibility of thunderstorms. Rain and thunderstorms let up overnight. High temperature near 77, low overnight at 71 degrees, and patchy fog is likely.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. At night the skies will remain mostly clear with a low temperature around 72. mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. In the evening, Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Monday-Thursday: Sunny during the day with high temperatures in the mid-80s. Lows in the low 70s at night. A chance of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday.

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: High
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Upper 60s
Sunrise: 5:36 a.m.
Sunset: 8:27 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 foot
Thunderstorm Potential: High
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Upper 60s
Sunrise: 5:37 a.m.
Sunset: 8:27 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: About 1 foot
Thunderstorm Potential: Low
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Upper 60s
Sunrise: 5:38 a.m.
Sunset: 8:26 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: High 1:29 p.m., Low 7:19 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 7:38 a.m., High 2:11 p.m., Low 8:19 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 8:27 a.m., High 2:53 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: Low 6:20 a.m., High 1:03 p.m., Low 6:43 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 7:02 a.m., High 1:45 p.m., Low 7:43 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 7:51 a.m., High 2:27 p.m., Low 8:46 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: Low 6:11 a.m., High 12:54 p.m., Low 6:34 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 6:53 a.m., High 1:36 p.m., Low 7:34 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 7:42 a.m., High 2:18 p.m., Low 8:37 p.m.

Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach

• Friday: Low 6:32 a.m., High 1:17 p.m., Low 6:55 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 7:14 a.m., High 1:59 p.m., Low 7:55 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 8:03 a.m., High 2:41 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: Low 6:24 a.m., High 12:59 p.m., Low 6:47 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 7:06 a.m., High 1:41 p.m., Low 7:47 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 7:55 a.m., High 2:23 p.m.

Island Beach State Park

• Friday: Low 10:24 a.m., High 4:33 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 11:06 a.m., High 5:15 p.m.
• Sunday: High 5:14 a.m., Low 11:55 a.m., High 5:57 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: Low 6:44 a.m., High 12:58 p.m., Low 6:57 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 7:21 a.m., High 1:43 p.m., Low 7:49 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 8 a.m., High 2:32 p.m., Low 8:47 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: Low 6:47 a.m., High 12:57 p.m., Low 7:02 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 7:28 a.m., High 1:45 p.m., Low 7:57 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 8:10 a.m., High 2:37 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: Low 7:42 a.m., High 2:02 p.m., Low 7:57 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:22 a.m., High 2:48 p.m., Low 8:50 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:04 a.m., High 3:38 p.m.