Saturday, May 16, started cool and calm in Philadelphia, with mostly clear skies and morning lows near 55°F. That will not last long. Temperatures are expected to jump quickly, with afternoon highs near 82°F in the city. Down the shore, though, the story is less about sunbathing and more about surf danger, as lifeguards and forecasters warn that hazardous conditions will grip parts of the Jersey coastline. Strengthening southwest winds will rough up the ocean through the afternoon, raising risks for swimmers and small boats.
Afternoon Winds And Marine Advisories
Southwest winds are forecast to ramp up through the day to around 15 to 20 mph, with gusts pushing into the mid 20s to around 30 mph this afternoon. Offshore seas are expected to build to roughly 4 to 5 feet. A Small Craft Advisory is posted from 4 PM today through 10 AM Sunday for the coastal ocean zones, and operators of smaller vessels are urged to skip nonessential trips and tie down any loose gear. For the latest details on marine conditions and active advisories, see the National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Jersey Shore Rip Danger Today
Rip current risk is pegged at HIGH for the New Jersey coast today, Saturday, May 16, while Delaware beaches sit at a MODERATE threat. Those levels signal the potential for life-threatening currents, even for experienced swimmers. Forecasts call for a 9 to 10 second swell and breaking waves of about 2 to 4 feet in the surf zone. Nearshore water temperatures lingering in the 50s also mean a sudden plunge can bring a real risk of hypothermia. Beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water or swim only at guarded beaches, according to the NWS Beach Forecast.
Hot Stretch Into Next Week
The warmth today is just the opening act. Highs are forecast to reach near 87°F on Sunday, May 17, with many inland locations expected to climb into the low 90s on Monday and Tuesday, May 18 and 19. By Wednesday, May 20, the forecast calls for a sizzling high near 95°F. Wednesday afternoon also brings a growing chance, around 50 percent, of showers and thunderstorms that could knock temperatures back a bit and kick up some localized strong wind gusts. That overall pattern, including the timing of a late-week frontal passage, is laid out by the National Weather Service Mount Holly, which notes that the urban corridor may flirt with heat advisory criteria by Tuesday and Wednesday.
What To Do
If your weekend plans involve the shore, treat the surf as dangerous. Follow lifeguard instructions, avoid going into rough water, and if you see someone in trouble, call 911 and alert beach staff right away. Inland, try to schedule hard outdoor work or exercise for the morning or evening hours as temperatures climb, drink plenty of water, and check in on older neighbors during the hotter stretch later this week. Boaters and people working along the waterfront should secure equipment today and skip nonessential small-craft trips during the advisory period, and anyone with outdoor plans through Wednesday should monitor forecast updates.
