It's a mixed weather bag for this weekend as some Fourth of July festivities get started around the Jersey Shore.
Rain starts the weekend but sunshine and clear skies are expected to close it out and continue into the week for those starting their America's 250th birthday celebration.
Here is a look from Patch at the beach forecast for the last weekend in June, including the latest on rip currents and jellyfish sightings and when the high tides might interfere with your spot on the beach.
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THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service
Friday: Mostly cloudy in the afternoon wiht a high temperature near 82, then clouds and rain moving in overnight with the possibility of thunderstorms starting about 3 a.m. and a 70 percent chance of rain. Low around 69 degrees.
Saturday: It will be a day to plan indoor activities, as showers and thunderstorms are anticipated into the afternoon. There's an 80 percent chance of rain, with that possibility going down in the midafternoon. There remains a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms until about 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy overnight with a low around 67 degrees.
Sunday: Saturday's showers are just a blip on the radar as sunshine is expected to prevail again. High temperatures will be in the upper 70s at the beach, and there will be a slight wind from the north, becoming southeast in the afternoon. Partly cloudy overnight with a low in the upper 60s.
Monday-Thursday: Sunny days are expected all week in the lead-up to the Fourth of July weekend, with high temperatures in the low 80s and climbing into the 90s by Thursday. Bring your sunscreen and plenty of water to keep cool and hydrated. Showers are possible overnight midweek.
RIPCURRENTS: There is a low risk of rip currents, only go in where there are lifeguards present. Do not swim after hours. Read up on what to look for to identify rip currents: Rip Currents In NJ: What To Look For, How To Survive Them
JELLYFISH: Warnings continue about clinging jellyfish in back bays and river mouths. The New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group has had multiple reports about the jellyfish, which live in aquatic vegetation. Because of that, people should be careful about wading.
Just in case, bring some white vinegar and some calamine lotion to treat jellyfish stings. Paul Bologna, the jellyfish expert and director of the marine biology program at Montclair State University, offers these tips: Apply white vinegar immediately. This stops any stinging cells that have not fired in the tentacles. Rinse the sting area with the salt water you are in to wash away tentacles. "Do not use bottled water to rinse as osmotic shock will cause stinging cells left behind to fire and continue to sting," he says. Wipe the area clean with a clean towel or cloth. Benadryl or calamine lotion can help with itching, and over-the-counter pain medicines can be used for pain from the stings depending on the severity.
SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service
Friday
Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Low 60s
Sunrise: 5:26 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.
Saturday
Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Low
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:27 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.
Sunday
Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:27 a.m.
Sunset: 8:31 p.m.
TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions
Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)
Long Branch Fishing Pier
Belmar
Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach
Seaside Heights
Barnegat Inlet
Atlantic City (Ocean)
Longport/Ocean City
Strathmere
Wildwood Crest
Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean
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