Jersey Shore Ocean Temperatures Setting Records

If you thought taking a dip in the ocean would help you cool off on these hot days, you might think again.

The temperature of the Atlantic Ocean set a record this week, when it reached the mid-80s in Atlantic City, according to the National Weather Service.

The temperature peaked at 83.3 degrees at 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to the weather service's Mount Holly office. It broke the record of 83.1 degrees set on July 31, 2011, according to the service.

Ocean water temperatures usually warm up as summer progresses, reaching the mid-70s during mid-August. In bays and other more shallow bodies of water, the temperatures frequently rise into the 80s; on Friday, the National Weather Service reported temperatures of 82 in Barnegat Bay near the Route 72 bridge and hovering between 80 and 82 at various points along the coast.

The Atlantic City station was reporting an ocean water temperature of 72.7 Friday morning.

The continuing heat wave and onshore winds will keep water temperatures above average through the weekend and into next week. NJ.com reported that meterologists say the onshore wind allows warmer ocean water to stay near the surface, keeping temperatures warmer.

The weather service says the heat wave is expected to break on Monday, when a cold front is expected to move in.

If you head to the beach to cool off in the ocean, beware: there is a moderate risk of rip currents, the weather service says. Be sure to swim within sight of a life guard, and never swim alone or at night.

If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you are free of the current.

Read more about how to spot a rip current and how to survive one here.

Atlantic City weather station, via National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration