Jersey Shore Beach Report: Some Rain, Some Sun, So Plan Your Fun

It's becoming a bit of a repeat as we hit the middle of July: some rain, some sunshine. Flexibility in your plans will be the key if you're planning a day at the Jersey Shore.

Here is a look from Patch at the beach forecast for the weekend of July 18-19, 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: Smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to be an issue throughout the area. Cloudy with a low around 73 degrees.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout the day, so be prepared to leave the beach if the weather turns. There is a 90 percent chance of precipitation, with the highest possibility after 4 p.m. Smoke from the Canadian wildfires will continue to be visible before 1 p.m. High of 81 degrees and breezy, with a south wind of 10 to 20 mph. Storm potential continues until about 2 a.m. and some of the rain could be heavy. Low around 72 degrees.

Sunday: The day should start off partly sunny then get more clear as the day progresses. High temperature near 83 degrees and a northwest wind of 10 mph. Clear Sunday night with a low around 69 degrees.

Monday-Thursday: Sunny days are expected to sandwich possible showers midweek, with Monday and Thursday predicted to be sunny and rain possible Tuesday and Wednesday.

RIP CURRENTS: Storms in the forecast bring a moderate rish of rip currents, so 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: Clinging jellyfish have dissipated but sea nettles have made their presence felt in back bays and lagoons. A few other jellyfish are being found on the beaches, according to posts in the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group.

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: Around 1 foot
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:39 a.m.
Sunset: 8:24 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:40 a.m.
Sunset: 8:24 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:41 a.m.
Sunset: 8:23 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: Low 5:05 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:40 a.m., High 11:57 a.m., Low 5:55 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:25 a.m., High 12:48 p.m., Low 6:47 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: Low 4:37 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:05 a.m., High 11:32 a.m., Low 5:28 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 5:51 a.m., High 12:23 p.m., Low 6:20 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: Low 5:10 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:39 a.m., High 11:54 a.m., Low 6 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:23 a.m., High 12:44 p.m., Low 6:51 p.m.

Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach

• Friday: Low 5:11 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:40 a.m., High 12:08 p.m., Low 6:03 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:27 a.m., High 12:59 p.m., Low 6:57 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: Low 8:28 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 9:38 a.m., High 3:31 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 10:21 a.m., High 4:31 p.m.

Barnegat Inlet

• Friday: Low 5:04 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:42 a.m., High 11:44 a.m., Low 5:59 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:29 a.m., High 12:37 p.m., Low 6:56 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: Low 4:35 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:16 a.m., High 11:29 a.m., Low 5:32 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:03 a.m., High 12:20 p.m., Low 6:29 p.m.

Longport/Ocean City

• Friday: Low 4:58 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:41 a.m., High 11:47 a.m., Low 5:52 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:26 a.m., High 12:37 p.m., Low 6:47 p.m.

Strathmere

• Friday: Low 5:38 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 6:22 a.m., High 12:26 p.m., Low 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 7:04 a.m., High 1:13 p.m., Low 7:23 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: Low 4:38 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 5:21 a.m., High 11:35 a.m., Low 5:33 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:08 a.m., High 12:27 p.m., Low 6:31 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: Low 5:37 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 6:17 a.m., High 12:33 p.m., Low 6:32 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 7:03 a.m., High 1:24 p.m., Low 7:28 p.m.