Beach Forecast: Sand Hot, But Water Chilly for Memorial Day Weekend

This seagull is ready for summer. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s (high 70s when the sea breeze kicks up) are on tap for Memorial Day Weekend, but water temperatures will remain seasonably chilly.

According to SwellInfo.com, a website that tracks surf conditions, the ocean water temperature in Seaside Heights was 55 degrees on Wednesday. A west wind, usually responsible for upwelling, a process by which cold sea water replaces warmer water at the shoreline, may drive the temperature down another degree or two for Thursday. The good news is that the wind is forecast to switch to the south (with a south-southeast swell) by Thursday afternoon.

There’s more good news for those brave enough to take a dip: the National Weather Service is forecasting a low risk of rip currents to start the weekend, though they warn rips can develop quickly in areas of piers and jetties.

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Seas will remain relatively calm all weekend, with wave heights forecast to be about three feet. According to a marine forecast from the National Weather Service, coastal Ocean County will remain on the periphery of an area of high pressure into the weekend. A backdoor cold front moving through Thursday night into Friday is likely to stay north of the area.