A Soggy Start To Labor Day Weekend At Ocean County Beaches

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ This is not a good start for Labor Day weekend.

It's expected to rain all day and into tonight at Ocean County beaches, for starters. Add in the increased rip current risk and rough seas, and you don't have an ideal beach day.

The rip current risk is moderate. If you're going in the water, be sure to check with your local beach patrol about problem areas. Never, ever swim on an unguarded beach. Never swim alone or at night. the National Weather Service says swimmers should always have a flotation device with them in the water.

The Beach Haven Beach Patrol has already banned any swimming, due to extremely hazardous ocean conditions.

"At this time we are experiencing a strong east-northeasterly wind that is expected to build," a post on the patrol's Facebook page states. Seas are expected to build as the wind increases."

Waves today will be from 4 to 5 feet, much higher than they have been all week. The ocean water temperature is a balmy 79 degrees. But that could vary depending upon what beach you go to.

Skies today will be cloudy, with numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms expected. The heat wave is over. Highs today will only be in the mid 70s. Winds will be from the east at 15 miles per hour. The lightning threat is low, which means there is little chance of thunderstorms.

The ultraviolet index is moderate, which the NWS considers.

High tide at Barnegat Inlet will arrive at 11:31 a.m. Low tide will roll in at 6:01 p.m., followed by another high tide at 11:55 p.m.

Many beaches may not be guarded on weekdays after Labor Day. Patch is putting together a list of which may be closed and which may be open.

Have a nice day and be careful out there!

Photo: Courtesy of Long Beach Township Beach Patrol