Ocean Water Temperatures Hover Around 70 Degrees, Rip Current Risk Subsides

A Seaside Heights Beach Patrol vehicle. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Days after beach patrols up and down the Jersey Shore dealt with dozens upon dozens of ocean rescues due to rip currents, a spate of foul weather is due to depart the area in time for the Fourth of July weekend, with water temperatures reaching the magic 70-degree mark in some locales to allow visitors to take a swim without the bone-chilling feelings of early summer.

The National Weather Service’s surf zone forecast calls for a “moderate” risk of rip currents on Wednesday, improving to a “low” risk when the weather clears Thursday. A “moderate” risk indicates life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone, while a “low” risk indicates a reduced overall risk, with rips still possible in trouble spots such as the areas near groins, jetties, reefs, and piers.

Surf temperatures in the Atlantic City area eclipsed the 70 degree mark early Wednesday morning, the NWS reported, however in Ocean County the temperatures were still generally in the high-60s. Still, Sea Girt (in Monmouth County) reported a surf temperature of 71 degrees Wednesday morning, meaning warmer water is making its way north and will likely be in place for the holiday weekend as long as winds do not shift too strongly to the west, which causes ocean water to upwell from the depths, ushering in colder temperatures.

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The NWS’s surf zone forecast is calling for waves heights of 1-2 feet at the shore on Thursday, with very light northwest winds around 5 m.p.h., becoming southwest in the afternoon. (On Wednesday, wave heights are predicted to be 2-3 feet near the shoreline.)

High tide in the ocean at Casino Pier occurs at 1:49 p.m. Wednesday, 2:33 p.m. Thursday and 3:19 p.m. on Friday (July 4).