Lifeguards warn despite tropical look, cold ocean temperatures could be dangerous heading into the weekend
Experts say an algae bloom and cold water created those colors, and that cold water can be deadly. Current water temperatures are running around 55 degrees according to the lifeguards.
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If you have been anywhere near the beach or offshore on a boat you may have seen the water has taken on a tropical look.
But that doesn’t mean it feels like the tropics.
Experts say an algae bloom and cold water created those colors, and that cold water can be deadly. Current water temperatures are running around 55 degrees according to the lifeguards.
A flyover of northern Ocean County beaches last week looked more like a tropical paradise. Offshore on the daily fishing charters, the colors are even more dramatic, but they come with a cost.
“We’re easily, easily three weeks behind in the way the water temperature is, fishing, swimming, all kinds of things like that,” said Rich Falcone, owner of the Golden Eagle docked in Belmar.
Photos from a few miles offshore show a turquoise Atlantic while aboard the Golden Eagle.
“If you jump in this water right now it will take your breath away and that’s kind of scary,” said Falcone.
Sea surface temperatures are running five to 10 degrees below normal along the Jersey Shore, creating a dangerous combination heading into the second half of the week with the coming heat.
“The water takes the heat out of your body so fast you’re in there for five minutes and you can become hypothermic which means you start to shiver, your muscles start to cramp up on you and it’s just not like in the summertime,” said Joe Bongiovanni, the Asbury Park beach safety supervisor.
Sammy Feliciano, who was visiting Asbury Park from Brooklyn, was unphased by the chill and says it’s great to splash and cool off, but do it safely.
“Watch your kids, don’t let them go in the water, and watch your kids. If you want to wet your feet, wet your feet, but stay safe,” said Feliciano.
Most beaches will be fully staffed on weekends, but during the week until schools let out, there are only a few skeleton crews on duty. The guards say it will still take a few weeks for the water to warm to more normal temperatures.
