Jersey Shore Beach Report: Fireworks, Fun And (Some) Sun

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Fourth of July is here already, and with it in the middle of the week, we know many people are headed to the beaches for an extended visit.

Here's a look from Patch at the weekend beach conditions through July 4th, as you plan when you're going to hit the sand, go boating and where you're going to watch the fireworks.

Looking for some fun July 4th events? Be sure to check out our fireworks guide: NJ July 4 Guide 2023: Parades, Fireworks, Festivals Around The State

Friday will have lingering effects from the wildfires in Canada, creating hazy skies. Saturday is anticipated to be sunny and warm, but the evening may see the arrival of some rain and thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday will be a day for indoor pursuits, it appears, as there's a 60 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Monday and Tuesday are forecast to get progressively better, with a waning chance of thunderstorms.

There is the potential for rip currents all weekend, so only swim where there are lifeguards and heed their warnings. Remember, if lifeguards tell you to get off the beach because of the threat of thunderstorms, pay heed. It's for your safety.

The UV index is very high for the weekend, the weather service says, so use your sunscreen. Check out the clinging jellyfish alerts below.

Related: Rip Currents In NJ: What To Look For, How To Survive Them

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: It will be sunny with a high near 76, but a widespread haze from the Canadian wildfires. South wind 5 to 10 mph. The haze is expected to continue well into the evening. Some clouds and a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Sunshine breaking through most of the day, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Overnight, there is a possibility of rain and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, with the possibility increasing into the afternoon to 60 percent. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 10 to 15 mph. The rain and thunderstorm possibility will continue through the night, with a 60 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 a.m. and again after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Related: 2023 Jersey Shore Beach Guide: Beach Badges And Parking

SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: Around 1 foot.
Thunderstorm Potential: Low.
UV Index: Very high.
Water Temperature: In the mid-60s.
Sunrise: 5:28 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate.
Surf Height: Around 1 foot.
Thunderstorm Potential: None.
UV Index: Very High.
Water Temperature: Mid-60s.
Sunrise: 5:28 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate.
Surf Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate.
UV Index: Very High.
Water Temperature: Mid-60s.
Sunrise: 5:29 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.

Monday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate.
UV Index: Very high.
Water Temperature: In the mid-60s.
Sunrise: 5:30 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.

July 4th

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential: Low.
UV Index: Very high.
Water Temperature: In the mid-60s.
Sunrise: 5:30 a.m.
Sunset: 8:30 p.m.

CLINGING JELLYFISH
From the state Department of Environmental Protection

More surveillance has been done on Barnegat Bay and its tributaries ahead of the June 30-July4 weekend, and there is a growing number of spots in the Metedeconk River in Brick where the dime-sized clinging jellyfish have been found in significant numbers.

Paul Bologna, a scientist and professor at Montclair State University who's an expert on jellyfish, was conducting monitoring on Thursday and found large jellyfish at Tices Shoal, on the back side of Island Beach State Park, but did not turn up any clinging jellyfish. He warned that they could still be present.

The state Department of Environmental Protection's clinging jellyfish map shows where clinging jellyfish have been found.

These tiny creatures, found in and around submerged aquatic vegetation and algae in back bays and estuaries. pack a sting that can produce severe pain and other localized symptoms, and can result in hospitalization in some people. Anyone wading near aquatic vegetation should take precautions, such as wearing boots or waders to protect themselves.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: Low 11:45 a.m.; High 6:05 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:32 a.m.; Low 12:37 p.m.; High 6:56 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:26 a.m.; Low 1:31 p.m.; High 7:47 p.m.
• Monday: High 8:18 a.m.; Low 2:27 p.m.; High 8:37 p.m.
• July 4th: High 9:11 a.m.; Low 3:22 p.m.; High 9:30 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: Low 11:09 a.m.; High 5:39 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:06 a.m.; Low 12:01 p.m.; High 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7 a.m.; Low 12:55 p.m.; High 7:21 p.m.
• Monday: High 7:52 a.m.; Low 1:51 p.m.; High 8:11 p.m.
• July 4th: High 8:45 a.m.; Low 2:46 p.m.; High 9:04 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: Low 11 a.m.; High 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday: High 5:57 a.m.; Low 11:52 a.m.; High 6:21 p.m.
• Sunday: High 6:51 a.m.; Low 12:46 p.m.; High 7:12 p.m.
• Monday: High 7:43 a.m.; Low 1:42 p.m.; High 8:02 p.m.
• July 4th: High 8:36 a.m.; Low 2:37 p.m.; High 8:55 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: Low 11:13 a.m.; High 5:35 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:02 a.m.; Low 12:05 p.m.; High 6:26 p.m.
• Sunday: High 6:56 a.m.; Low 12:59 p.m.; High 7:17 p.m.
• Monday: High 7:48 a.m.; Low 1:55 p.m.; High 8:07 p.m.
• July 4th: High 8:41 a.m.; Low 2:50 p.m.; High 9 p.m.

Island Beach, Sedge Islands (inside Barnegat Bay)

• Friday: Low 3:41 p.m.; High 9:05 p.m.
• Saturday: High 9:32 a.m.; Low 4:33 p.m.; High 9:56 p.m.
• Sunday: High 10:26 a.m.; Low 5:27 p.m.; High 10:47 p.m.
• Monday: High 11:18 a.m.; Low 6:23 p.m.
• July 4th: Low 7:19 a.m.; High 12:11 p.m.; Low 7:18 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: Low 11:10 a.m.; High 5:44 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:05 a.m.; Low 12:02 p.m.; High 6:35 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:01 a.m.; Low 12:55 p.m.; High 7:27 p.m.
• Monday: High 7:57 a.m.; Low 1:49 p.m.; High 8:20 p.m.
• July 4th: High 8:51 a.m.; Low 2:41 p.m.; High 9:11 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: Low 11:19 a.m.; High 5:53 p.m.
• Saturday: High 6:14 a.m.; Low 12:10 p.m.; High 6:43 p.m.
• Sunday: High 7:06 a.m.; Low 1:03 p.m.; High 7:34 p.m.
• Monday: High 8 a.m.; Low 1:55 p.m.; High 8:26 p.m.
• July 4th: High 8:54 a.m.; Low 2:47 p.m.; High 9:19 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: Low 12:07 p.m.; High 6:52 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:13 a.m.; Low 12:59 p.m.; High 7:43 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:08 a.m.; Low 1:52 p.m.; High 8:35 p.m.
• Monday: High 9:04 a.m.; Low 2:45 p.m.; High 9:28 p.m.
• July 4th: High 9:58 a.m.; Low 3:37 p.m.; High 10:21 p.m.