Swimmers along the Jersey Shore faced rough surf and strong rip currents Thursday, with dangerous conditions expected to continue through Saturday.
Steady onshore winds and three- to four-foot waves churned up the ocean, pulling swimmers off course and forcing lifeguards to stay on high alert. Most beach patrols kept people close to shore, stepping in quickly when swimmers drifted too far.
The National Weather Service flagged the risk as high, citing wind and wave activity combined with an approaching full moon. Stronger tidal shifts are likely to keep currents moving through the weekend.
Earlier in the week, lifeguards responded to an after-hours emergency involving a swimmer pulled from the water. Bystanders had started CPR by the time help arrived. The man was hospitalized in critical condition.
Despite the trouble in the water, beach weather will stay pleasant. High pressure will bring dry air and mostly sunny skies, with temperatures in the low to mid-80s along the coast. Saturday will feel comfortable, but Sunday could get hotter, especially inland.
Forecasters expect the heat to climb next week. By Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures could reach the mid-90s, with sticky nights in the 70s and a chance for pop-up afternoon storms.
The dangers of rip currents have also led to legal action. This week, the family of a South Jersey man who drowned in Wildwood Crest in August 2023 filed a lawsuit accusing the borough and its beach patrol of negligence. The suit claims lifeguards failed to warn swimmers about hazardous conditions that day and lacked proper staffing. The case remains pending in Cape May County Superior Court.
Beach officials continue to stress one message: swim only when lifeguards are on duty, and stay close. The ocean may look inviting, but the currents can turn dangerous fast.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.