Rip Current Risk Drops On LBI, But Surf Still Rough

LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ - It's the last summer weekend of 2018. So if you can find a guarded beach, go for it.

The key word is "guarded." Don't swim on a beach that has no lifeguards. And never, ever swim on a beach alone or at night. Check with your local beach patrol first, for any problem areas. Rips can still occur, especially near jetties and other structures. The National Weather Service advises swimmers to always have a flotation device with them in the water.

Unfortunately, a New Brunswick man decided to go swimming in Seaside Heights on Saturday evening, after the guards had left for the day. He drowned.

"There are still some large rip currents today and water rescues are occurring," a post on the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol Facebook page states. "Please only swim near lifeguards!"

The rip current risk has dropped from high to moderate today, a marked difference from the rest of the week. Wave heights will also be lower, around 4 feet, with southeasterly swells of 3 feet. But that's still pretty choppy.

Skies today will be mostly sunny, with highs in the mid 70s. Winds will be from the east at 5 to 10 miles per hour. There is no lightning threat. The ultraviolet index is a 7, which the NWS considers high.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet arrived at 7:37 a.m. High tide will roll in at 1:47 p.m., followed by another low tide at 8:25 p.m.

Here's a refresher on which LBI beaches are still guarded:

Ship Bottom will have daily coverage at the 7th, 15th and 20th streets through Sept. 30.

Harvey Cedars The Middlesex Avenue beach will be guarded each day through Sunday, Sept. 30. If the weather holds up, the 80th Street beach may be guarded on weekends as well.

Beach Haven Lifeguards will be on duty for today, but that's the last day for the season. There will also be mobile patrols on beaches throughout the borough.

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Long Beach Township will have guards on 68th Street in Brant Beach, on Saturdays and Sundays throughout September.

Barnegat Light The 22nd Street will be guarded, for as long as money remains in the budget.

Photo: Courtesy of Long Beach Township Beach Patrol