Shore Environment

Mind-Blowing Fall Sunset Will Lead Into Mixed-Bag Weather Weekend

by
Daniel Nee
October 6, 2023

A spectacular fall sunset worthy of a travel brochure for the Jersey Shore ended a mild day locally, bringing throngs of residents to see the sun set on another week – with a mixed bag of weather predicted for the weekend.

A two-minute video we captured is seen above (note: ad blocking software may interfere with the video player) and still photos can be seen below. All of the scenery was captured at Lavallette’s bayfront and Bayside Park in Brick Township.

Sunset on Barnegat Bay, Oct. 5, 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The forecast for the upcoming busy weekend, which will feature an Italian Festival and Columbus Day Parade in Seaside Heights, a rally in Point Pleasant Beach, and the rescheduled Irish Festival in Seaside Park, looks to be mixed. According to the National Weather Service:

Friday will bring patchy drizzle with a chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers, mainly between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Areas of fog will also be present before 11 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 70 with light winds. Showers and thunderstorms are possible Friday night, plus another round of fog before 3 a.m.

Saturday is forecast to bring showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms for the rest of the afternoon. The high will be 69 degrees and skies will be cloudy. Showers will continue on and off Saturday night.

Sunday’s weather looks best, according to the NWS, with mostly sunny skies, however the cold front that will have brought rain to the area the past two days will lead to a high of just 62 degrees and an overnight low of 49 degrees.

Sunset on Barnegat Bay, Oct. 5, 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

As of Oct. 1, the NWS no longer issues daily surf zone forecasts, however beachgoers should remain aware of rip currents in the Shore area. The Asbury Park Press reported eight rescues from rip currents in Spring Lake on Wednesday.

The general marine forecast warns of dense fog offshore and a small craft advisory for Friday and Saturday. Though the ocean may look calm near shore with light winds, powerful currents and building surf is forecast. According to the NWS, easterly winds 5-10 knots overnight will shift to the west- northwest Saturday morning and increase through the day to 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Seas will run 4-5 feet Friday night, building to 6-8 feet on Saturday.