Thursday, July 10, 2025

Unsettled "Full Moon" Thursday

Mornin'!  It's 74° in Wildwood NJ.  Humidity's 96% with a dewpoint of 73°.  Winds are out of the SW at 5-7mph.  It's gray and damp.  Ms Sun's up there somewhere but the clouds have control of what's happening in the sky.  We've been watered again with some major rain downpours and storms beginning late last night into the overnight.  I'd say we're rather soggy this morning.  Lot's of thunder and strobe lightning last night.  It's the Full Moon today aka The Buck Moon.  It's called that because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time as they shed and regrow their antlers each year producing larger and more impressive antlers as each year comes and goes. If we're lucky, we could see that moon rise tonight around 8:45PM.
For today, it'll be a mostly cloudy day with scattered rain and thunderstorms. Chance of rain today is 60%.  This afternoon those thunder-boomers are on tap with some storms containing intense gusty winds.  Temps will be around 80° with very humid conditions and SW winds at 5-15mph.   Tonight... still mostly cloudy and humid, 25% chance of rain and even a stray thunderstorm is possible.  Temps will drop to where they are now... low-mid 70s and S-SW winds at 5-10mph.  Tomorrow... cloudy start becoming partly cloudy with peeks of sunshine. There's a slight chance (15%) of a stray shower, temps around 80° with E-NE winds at 5-10mph.  Tomorrow night... partly cloudy, humid, temps in the mid-upper 70s and East winds at 5-10mph.  Saturday... partly sunny, temps in the low-80s and E-NE winds at 5-10mph.  Saturday night... partly cloudy, temps in the mid-70s and East winds at 5-10mph.  Sunday... sunny with a few clouds in the mix, temps in the low-mid 80s and East winds at 10-15mph.  Sunday night... clear, temps in the mid-70s and SE winds at 5-10mph.  
High Tides: 7:55AM and 8:15PM
Low Tide: 1:45PM
Ocean Temp: 76°
Sunrise: 5:42AM
Sunset: 8:26PM
Moonrise: 8:50PM
UV index: 8
Rip Current: Moderate Risk (swim only near a lifeguard)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Unsettled Weahter Ahead With A Flood Watch Posted Today Until 2AM

Mornin'!  It's 76° in Wildwood NJ.  Humidity's 91% with a dewpoint of 75°.  Winds are barely there out of the West at 3-7mph.  It's gray and overcast as Ms Sun has some thick cloud cover to deal with.  We had those intense thunderstorms last night and came out unscathed thankfully.  We were watered nicely without flooding or any damage.  The strobe-lightning show was very impressive as was the shelf cloud traveling over us.  As for today... unsettled.  Expect clouds now, becoming partly sunny followed by partly to mostly cloudy skies, scattered rain showers and/or thunderstorms this afternoon (40% chance).  Storms may contain intense gusty winds.  Temps will be in the mid-80s (we reached a scorching 95° yesterday), with winds out of the SW at 10-15mph.  Tonight... 80% chance of rain and thunderstorms.  There's a potential for heavy rain bringing with it a "flood watch" today and tonight as the high tides are higher than normal with that Full Moon tomorrow.  Tonight's temps... mid-70s with SW winds at 10-15mph.  1-2 inches of rain is expected.  Tomorrow... partly to mostly sunny with the scattered thunderstorms in the morning (40% chance), temps near 80° and S-SW winds at 5-10mph.  Tomorrow night... 50% chance of rain and/or scattered thunderstorms, cloudy overnight, temps in the mid-70s and SW winds at 5-10mph.  As for this coming weekend including Friday... 30% chance of rain showers, temps around 80° and SE winds at 5-10mph; Friday night... clouds from time to time, 25% chance of rain, temps in the low-mid 70s and E-SE winds at 5-10mph.  Saturday will have a mix of sun and clouds, 25% chance of a stray shower or storm, temps around 80° and East winds at 5-10mph.  Saturday night... mostly clear, temps in the low70s and East winds at 5-10mph.  Sunday... a few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny, temps around 80° and E-SE winds at 10-15mph.  Sunday night... partly cloudy, temps in the low-mid 70s and S-SE winds at 10-15mph.  As for this Flood Watch that's posted today until 2AM tomorrow... know your low-lying areas and areas that are prone to flooding.  Don't drive through flood waters.  Know your "high" tide times and remember that the back of the island (bay side / marsh side) is always an hour later than the ocean's high tide.  Be safe out there! 
High Tides: 7:14AM and 7:35PM
Low Tide: 1:03PM
Ocean Temp: 75°
Sunrise: 5:42AM
Sunset: 8:26PM
Moonrise: 8:05PM
UV Index: 10.3 (very high)
Rip Current: Moderate Risk (only swim near a lifeguard)

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Good Beach Day

Mornin'!  It's 78° in Wildwood NJ.  The air is damp, heavy and tropical.  Humidity's 98% with a dewpoint of 77° making it feel like 87°.  Winds are barely there out of the W-SW at 2-4mph.  The outdoor plants are all smiling as each leave is glistening with moisture.  It'll be mostly sunny once Ms Sun melts the haze that surrounds her.  Expect a hot one with sunny skies, temps near 90° and SW winds at 10-15mph.  Tonight... 50% chance of scattered rain showers and/or thunderstorms.  Storms may contain strong gusty winds along with heavy downpours.  Temps will drop to the mid-70s along with SW winds at 10-20mph.  We never got that big storm they talked about yesterday as the Cape May "bubble" kicked in (check yesterday's blog entry) and blew by us with just a little spritz.  Tomorrow... partly sunny, temps in the low-mid 80s and SW winds at 10-15mph.  There's always that chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm (20% chance) so keep your eye on the sky.  Tomorrow night... partly cloudy, 50% chance of scattered rain and/or thunderstorms, temps in the mid-70s and SW winds at 10-15mph.  The High Tides are beginning to show higher than normal due to the Full Moon coming Thursday.  If heading to the beach... pack wisely.  Remember to wear something on your feet as the sand will be scorching.  Pack sunscreen, plenty of water and a cover (either in clothing or umbrella or both etc.).
High Tide: 6:55PM
Low Tide: 12:19PM
Ocean Temp: 75°
Sunrise: 5:41AM
Sunset: 8:27PM
UV Index: 10.4 (very high)
Rip Current: Moderate (swim only near lifeguards)

Monday, July 7, 2025

Unsettled Weather Beginning Today Thru Friday

Mornin'!  It's 77° in Wildwood NJ.  Humidity's 97% with a dewpoint of 76°.  It's sunny and bright with winds out of the S-SE at 5-10mph.  Expect a sunny start to the day as well as the week with clouds filtering in later today as rain is on tap this afternoon.  There's a 70% chance of rain late in the day today with temps in the in low-80s and S-SE winds at 10-20mph.  Tonight... cloudy skies with partly cloudy skies after midnight, temps in the mid-70s and W-SW winds at 5-10mph.  Tomorrow... just like today, it'll start out sunny becoming cloudy with 50% chance of rain and/or thunderstorms possibly developing later in the day (late afternoon / early evening), temps in the mid-upper 80s and SW winds at 10-20mph.  Tomorrow night... 60% chance of scattered rain showers and/or thunderstorms during the evening with cloudy skies overnight, temps in the mid-70s and SW winds at 10-20mph.  Wednesday... appears like a repeat of today and tomorrow.  Starting out partly sunny, becoming cloudy with 60% chance of rain later in the day and into the evening and overnight.  If this week is your vacation week, you're getting an unsettled week. I'd get outside early in the day each and every day as the second part of the each day looks like it could be stormy.  But, we live in the Cape May Bubble (google it) and we could get missed each and every day.  It all remains to be seen.  Oh... the Full Moon is this Thursday!
High Tide: 6:13PM
Low Tide: 11:33AM
Ocean Temp: 74°
Sunrise: 5:40AM
Sunset: 8:27PM
UV Index: 10 (very high)
Rip Current: Moderate Risk: Life threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zones.  Swim only near a lifeguard.  
CM Bubble amidst the Storms


Sunday, July 6, 2025

Sunny Sunday

Mornin'!  It's 71° in Wildwood NJ.  Humidity's 84% with a dewpoint of 67°.  Ms Sun's up and shining over the island.  Breezes are out of the S-SW at 2mph (barely there).  It'll be a sunny start to this first Sunday in July.  Expect sunshine with a few afternoon clouds filtering in.  Temps will be in the low-mid 80s with S-SE winds at 10-20mph.  Tonight... some clouds, temps in the mid-70s and South winds at 10-20mph.  There's a slight chance of a passing shower and/or thunderstorm (25% chance).  Tomorrow... partly cloudy with 50% chance of afternoon shower and/or thunderstorms, temps in the low-80s and South winds at 10-20mph.  Tomorrow night... cloudy, temps around 75° and SW winds at 10-20mph.  Tuesday... partly sunny / partly cloudy, 50% chance of scattered showers in the afternoon, temps in the mid-80s with SW winds at 10-15mph.  Tuesday night... 60% chance of rain and possibly thunderstorms, temps in the low-mid 70s with SW winds at 10-15mph.
High Tide: 5:30PM
Low Tide: 10:46AM
Ocean Temp: 74°
Sunrise: 5:40AM
Sunset: 8:27PM
UV Index: 9.9 (very high)
Rip Currents: Low Risk

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Another July 4th Weekend Beauty

Mornin'!  It's 77° in Wildwood NJ.  Humidity's low at 72% with a dewpoint of 68°.  Breezes are out of the W-SW at 3-5mph and Ms Sun's shining brightly.  It's lovely.  It's quiet this morning after yesterday and last night's revelers brought the island to that blaring life.  We're going to have another beauty in regards to weather with plenty of sunshine, temps around 80° and South winds at 10-15mph.  Tonight... clouds begin to filter in with temps dropping to around 70° and South winds kicking up at 10-20mph.  Tomorrow... intervals of sun and clouds, temps around 80° and South winds at 10-20mph.  Tomorrow night... partly cloudy, temps in the mid-70s and S-SE winds at 10-15mph.  Monday... partly cloudy to start, increasing clouds with showers late in the day (50% chance), temps around 80° and South winds at 10-20mph.  Monday night... rain showers in the evening with scattered thunderstorms (40% chance), temps in the mid-70s and S-SW winds at 10-15mph. 
High Tide: 4:44PM
Low Tide: 9:59AM
Ocean Temp: 74°
Sunrise: 5:39AM
Sunset: 8:28PM
UV Index: 9.7 (very high)
Rip Currents: Low Risk

Friday, July 4, 2025

4th Of July


Mornin'!  Happy Independence Day!   It's 75° in Wildwood NJ this July 4th 2025.  It's a beauty this morning.  The humidity dropped significantly at 60% with a dewpoint of 60°.  There's a light breeze out of the North at 4-6mph.  It's a perfectly lovely start to the holiday.  It'll be a beauty today here down the Shore with plentiful sunshine, temps in the low-80s and W-NW winds at 5-10mph.  Tonight... clear skies, temps around 70° and SW winds at 5-10mph.  Tomorrow... except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny with temps in the low-80s and S-SW winds at 10-15mph.  Tomorrow night... clear skies, temps in the low-70s and South winds at 5-10mph.  Sunday... sunny with a few passing clouds, temps around 80° and South "blustery" winds at 10-20mph.  Sunday night... clear, clouds overnight, 25% chance of overnight rain, temps in the low-mid 70s and South "blustery" winds at 10-20mph.  Monday... 50% chance of rain.  
High Tide: 3:55PM
Low Tide: 9:13AM
Ocean Temp: 75°
Sunrise: 5:39AM
Sunset: 8:28PM
UV Index: 9.3 (high)
Rip Currents: Low Risk
And, of course... Friday's Beach Tips...
*Beach Stuff - what to pack... bottled water, a spray bottle of water for you never know what, a hat, footwear, towel, sunblock, insect repellent, first aid kit (I include a tiny bottle of vinegar for jelly fish stings), shade (umbrella, canopy of some type), a bungee cord to secure your umbrella for those windy days, something to read, sanitizing wipes, a small trash bag to collect any trash you accumulate.
*When setting up your spot (campsite) at the beach, give those around you a little courtesy and be kind as to not to set up too close to them.  It's always amazing to watch arriving folk completely unaware of their actions as they begin setting up their umbrella, blanket and chair only inches away from those folks already settled in and believe it or not, there's no one else yet at the beach except you. It often feels like new arrivals seek out others to sit close to.  It happens more often than not and I have yet to figure out this strange phenomenon.  There's plenty of beach space for everybody.
*Know your "tide" times.  You can always ask the lifeguard as they will know.  If the tide is at its highest when you arrive, you can set up right at the water line and watch the beach grow bigger and bigger as the tide recedes into its 6 hour low tide. It takes 6 hours for the tide to go from High to Low and then turn around and begin to go from Low to High (12 hour total).  Know your wind direction... if a "West" wind is on the forecast, you can count on the biting greenhead flies as they catch the Westerly "land" breezes and then come looking for you.  Always remember to pack that insect repellent along with sunscreen. 
*Tips for setting up your umbrella: be aware of the wind direction and wind speed.  On a windy day, take those extra steps to secure your umbrella.  Umbrellas should be secured at least a foot into the beach sand.  Sand screws or sand grabbers are great for securing umbrellas and even better if you dig a hole first before twisting that screw in and then packing it with sand.  Also, a bungee cord attaching the umbrella to your cooler or beach cart works wonders. It's not uncommon to see umbrellas launched by the winds and more often than not into unknowing folks who are about to be impaled by an airborne, out of control umbrella. And, while the entire family is in the ocean not realizing that their umbrella is 2 blocks away.  Remember, when opening your umbrella... face into the wind. More often than not for some reason, folks turn their back on the wind and open the umbrella. Thus... you now have an inside out umbrella along with those gusts of wind on your hands.
*Beach Etiquette.  Wildwood has soft, powdery sand. When you walk directly next to someone who's enjoying their beach visit, your kicked-up sand will almost certainly be tossed all over them; especially if it's breezy.  Be conscientious of where you're walking. Teach your children these same courtesies at the beach. Explain that it's not okay to run or chase one another around someone else's blanket or chair. On a breezy day, you will be covered in a light coating of sand thanks to wind but even more so due to some of those thoughtless beach folk. Oh, the same goes for that Suntan lotion... when you use the "spray" sunscreen, be aware of where that spray your using is being directed by the wind and who's receiving full coverage other than yourself.
*If shaking out towels or blankets, be conscious of the wind direction and always shake away from those in the line of your "sand" fire. Toddlers do take off running and it's usually onto anyone's blanket in their path.  Here's a bit of advice for parents of toddlers on the beach (1-2 year olds)... bring a "pack-n-play" for them as I can assure you that your beach day will be much more enjoyable with those babes surrounded with toys and snacks in their little mesh, private encampment.  I recently saw a young couple of a baby not old enough to walk, dig a round trench about 6" deep and place a piece of plastic (much like a shower curtain) over the 2-3' wide hole and fill it with the ocean water so the babe could be entertained and cooled off in their own little pool.  It was an ingenious way to keep the baby happy for a good amount of time.
*Phone use... take it somewhere else. Talking loudly or working on your phone for all of us to share with you really sucks.  Phone calls should be taken as far away from the people relaxing on the beach as possible.  Go to the Dunes.  Trust me, no one wants to hear your conversation; especially "on speaker".
*There is "no smoking" of any type on the beach.  There's "no smoking" on the boardwalk.  New Jersey has legalized Marijuana and you can smoke it privately on your property but not openly in public.  The only Pot dispensaries are in North Cape May and West Cape May and none in Wildwood. 
*For the pooches, there are two dog parks right on the beach.  At 24th at the Beach in North Wildwood and one in Wildwood between Glenwood and Maple on the Beach.  The Glenwood Avenue dog beach has just been rated #1 dog park in the country! Dogs must always be on a leash when not in the dog parks. And, you can walk your dog on the beach when lifeguards are NOT at their posts and only then.  No dog walking on the boardwalk at all.  
*If you enjoy music on the beach... remember to pack your headphones.  Believe it or not, the majority of beach folk would much rather listen to the sounds of the surf; not your choice of music blasting next to them from your Bluetooth speakers.  Sorry... but it's something that happens a lot and it sucks.
*Feeding seagulls is a no-no.  Eat and snack smartly.  Using flailing hands when expressing oneself while holding lunch is a magnet for swooping gulls.  Drop just one potato chip and you'll have seagull havoc.  Eat conscientiously under your umbrella or chair canopy.  Seagulls are vultures and are smart and endlessly eyeing beach goers eating habits.  They're relentless in trying to find the opportune moment to swoop down and pluck lunch right out of your hand or mouth (seen it happen many times).  By the way, seagulls know "chip bags" and if you have an unsupervised beach bag with chip bags exposed, they'll think nothing of helping themselves to that bag and will share their newly acquired bag of potato chips with all the other gulls while you're in the ocean without a clue.
*Playing ball, Frisbee, horseshoes, corn hole, kite-flying, ladder toss, spike ball, paddle ball, volley ball, Kan-jam, beach darts etc. shouldn't be played by the people sitting nearby.  Play ball and games at the back of the beach away from where everyone is sitting (it's only common sense and respectful).
*Observe all posted signs and warnings... Beach closures due to weather, rip currents or storms, surfing only on "surfing" beaches, no alcohol or pot, no dogs or pets.  If in doubt, just ask the lifeguards.
*Never leave trash on the beach.  Better yet, pick up any that you may see whether it's yours or not.  There are many, many trash and recycle containers on the beach and surrounding areas.  You might as well use them rather than let all that trash drift off and fly into the ocean for the fish to eat or get tangled in. Remember... whatever the fish eat, we eat too.  Plastic is an epidemic.  Speaking of plastic... New Jersey no longer has plastic bags at stores and shops.  It's now all about bringing your reusable bags when you shop to save the planet from those "fly-away" plastic ones.
*Lastly, be courteous and respectful.  Courtesy is key.  Be kind and considerate of all those enjoying this beautiful moment at the beach along with you. Keep the profanity at home.  It's a lot of fun being at the beach.  Let's enjoy together. Happy Beaching!