A Sunny Day Ahead For Ocean County Beaches

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - There's only a finite amount of summer days left in 2018. And the National Weather Service is calling for mostly sunny skies with a low risk of rip currents. So get to the beach if you can.

The high today will be around 80 degrees. Winds will be from the southwest winds at around 5 miles per hour, ramping up to 15 miles per hour in the afternoon. There is no lightning threat.

The rip current risk for today is low. But rips can occur anytime, anyplace, especially at jetties and other structures. So check with your local beach patrol about problem areas before you head into the water. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or at night. The NWS advises you always have a flotation device with you.

Waves will be around 2 feet, with southeast swells of 2 feet, gradually increasing to 3 feet in the afternoon. The ocean water temperature is 76 degrees, but that could vary depending upon what beach you go to.

The ultraviolet index is an 8, which the NWS considers very high. So don't forget your sunscreen.

High tide at Barnegat Inlet arrived at 8:24 a.m. Low tide will roll in at 2:35 p.m., followed by another high tide at 8:36 p.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Barnegat Light Beach Patrol