Jersey Shore Beach Report: Storms Give Way To Peeks Of Sun

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Schools are letting out across New Jersey this weekend, and many people are kicking off the summer with their first vacation.

If you're headed to the beach for Father's Day weekend, here's Patch's look at the weekend beach conditions for June 16-18, 2023.

Thunderstorms were rattling the Shore area much of the day on Friday, but the good news is they should ease Saturday and give way to sunshine on Sunday. The National Weather Service says the chance of precipitation on Saturday is 50 percent, which also means there's a 50 percent chance it will be sunny.

Because there will be some lingering thunderstorms, be sure to heed what lifeguards tell you, whether it's a warning about rip currents or about the potential for lightning. Your life depends on it.

Speaking of lifeguards, most beaches in New Jersey will be staffed with lifeguards seven days a week beginning Saturday through Labor Day.

Temperatures are anticipated to be in the mid-70s, and with Sunday's sunshine it could warm up more. The weather service says there is a low risk of rip currents Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but remember to swim only where lifeguards are present. Water temperatures remain cold. Read more from the National Weather Service on cold-water risks.

The UV index is very high for the weekend, the weather service says, so use your sunscreen.

For those who like to wade in the warmer waters of the bays or some of the rivers that lead to the ocean, the state Department of Environmental Protection has begun posting information on clinging jellyfish. These tiny creatures — they're about the size of a dime — can be found in and submerged aquatic vegetation and algae in back bays and estuaries. Anyone wading through these areas, especially near aquatic vegetation, should take precautions, such as wearing boots or waders to protect themselves.

A sting can produce severe pain and other localized symptoms and can result in hospitalization in some individuals. You can see where they have been found and how many on the clinging jellyfish map.

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

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy fog before 3 a.m., then patchy fog after 4 a.m. Low around 63. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. In the evening, mostly clear with a low around 63. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind around 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. In the evening, partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

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

SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential: High.
UV Index: High.
Water Temperature: In the low 60s.
Sunrise: 5:24 a.m.
Sunset: 8:29 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Low.
Surf Height: 2 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential: High.
UV Index: High.
Water Temperature: Low 60s.
Sunrise: 5:24 a.m.
Sunset: 8:30 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Low.
Surf Height: 2 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential: None.
UV Index: High.
Water Temperature: Low 60s.
Sunrise: 5:24 a.m.
Sunset: 8:29 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: High 7:29 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:58 a.m.; Low 1:55 p.m.; High 8:10 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:42 a.m.; Low 2:40 p.m.; High 8:51 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: High 7:03 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:32 a.m.; Low 1:19 p.m.; High 7:44 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:16 a.m.l Low 2:04 p.m.; High 8:25 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: High 6:54 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:23 a.m.; Low 1:10 p.m.; High 7:35 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:07 a.m.; Low 1:55 p.m.; High 8:16 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: High 6:59 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:28 a.m.; Low 1:23 p.m.; High 7:40 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:12 a.m.; Low 2:08 p.m.; High 8:21 p.m.

Island Beach, Sedge Islands (inside Barnegat Bay)

• Friday: Low 5:06 p.m.
• Saturday: High 10:58 a.m.; Low 5:51 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 6:48 a.m.; High 11:42 a.m.; Low 6:36 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: High 7:13 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:41 a.m.; Low 1:29 p.m.; High 7:56 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:26 a.m.; Low 2:11 p.m.; High 8:37 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: High 7:25 p.m.
• Saturday: High 7:48 a.m.; Low 1:35 p.m.; High 8:07 p.m.
• Sunday: High 8:31 a.m.; Low 2:15 p.m.; High 8:48 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: High 8:26 p.m.
• Saturday: High 8:52 a.m. ; Low 2:27 p.m.; High 9:09 p.m.
• Sunday: High 9:36 a.m. ; Low 3:09 p.m., High 9:49 p.m.