Monmouth County Beach Report: Choppy Surf, A Moderate Risk Of Rip Currents On Tap For Today

The National Weather Service is calling for partly sunny skies today, but beach conditions are expected to deteriorate over the next few days as Hurricane Jose lurks offshore.

Jose will be off the New Jersey coast on Tuesday. Rain, gusty winds, beach erosion and coastal flooding are all possible. The highest risk of coastal flooding will come with the high tides on Monday through Tuesday night. Unfortunately, astronomical tides will also run high with the approach of the new moon.

There's a moderate risk of rip currents today. There are still a few guarded beaches. Island Beach State Park will be open on weekends through the end of the month. Never swim on an unguarded beach and never swim alone or a night. The NWS suggests you always bring a flotation device with you in the water.

Wave heights today will be 4 feet high, with southeasterly swells of 2 to 3 three feet. The ocean water temperature is 72 degrees.

Skies will be partly sunny, with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms.The air temperature today will be in the upper 70s. Winds will be from the north at 5 miles per hour, switching to the east in the afternoon.

The ultraviolet index is a 6, which the National Weather Service considers high. The lightning risk is low, which means there is little chance of thunderstorms.

Low tide at Belmar will roll in at 10:36 a.m. High tide will arrive at 4:52 p.m., followed another low tide at 11:23 p.m.

Photo: Patch file photo