Friday, July 28, 2017

Storm's-A-Brewing

Mornin'! It's 71° in Wildwood NJ.  Ms Sun just broke through all the morning cloud cover.  No breezes to note.  All quiet on the eastern front (until later).  Up next today is a mix of clouds and sun with temps tapping 80° and breezes out of the E-NE at 5-10mph.  We might see scattered rain showers and/or a thunderstorm later this afternoon.  Cloud cover will eventually take completely over by tonight as rain and/or thunderstorms (after 9pm) are forecasted.  Some storms coming through could be severe producing gusty winds and heavy rainfall and will inevitably create coastal flooding (2-3" rainfall possible).  One meteorologist called this weekend weather system heading our way a "Summer Nor'easter" which are very rare (last one...1994).  Be aware of tides and where you park your vehicle.  And, if it's your first coastal storm, take it very seriously as these bad boys can cause serious damage. Don't take any risks.  Temps tonight...low 70s with E-NE winds 15-25mph w/gusting.  The weekend...Saturday: rain (100% chance) and Sunday: less rain (30% chance) with both days loaded with major winds.
High tide:12:55p.m. and 12:14a.m.
Low tide:6:34p.m.
Ocean temp:75°
Sunset:8:15p.m.
UV Index:9
Rip Currents: Low risk

Friday Beach Etiquette tips~
~Never leave trash on the beach and even better yet...pick up any you see whether it's yours or not.     Note trash and recycle containers as The Wildwoods do recycle.
~Don't forget those cigarette butts...collect and trash them (or just don't smoke and pollute the lovely sea air). Never stick them in the sand and leave them...that'll be tomorrow's find for the little kid digging in the sand.  Plus, cigarette filters take years to decompose and could be taken to the ocean by the tides giving sea life harmful/toxic cigarette filter tidbits to swallow.
~Remember to pack headphones (believe it or not no one wants to hear your music blaring from your boom box).  Big, loud boom boxes are not welcomed on the beach.
~Kindly give your neighbors space when selecting your beach site. Courtesy is key. Careful not to plop down in others personal beach space.
~Teach children some beach etiquette. Running nearby others and kicking or throwing sand is a no-brainer but sometimes you'd never know it.  Dropping one potato chip thoughtlessly will create seagull havoc.
~Feeding the seagulls is a big no-no. Eat and snack smartly. Using hands to express emotion when holding your sandwich up or out is a magnet for swooping gulls.  Eat under your umbrella or hooded sand chair as the beach vultures (gulls) are eyeing beach goers constantly trying to find who's eating and looking for the right opportune moment to swoop down and pluck your lunch right out of your hand or mouth (seen it happen many times). Once they get you then the havoc begins as 40 other gulls come in for a food fight of your scattered lunch.  By the way, seagulls know "chip bags" and if they see one sticking out of your unsupervised beach bag, they will think nothing of helping themselves and remove the chips from your bag as well as share your snacks with their gull friends while you're taking a walk or a dip (seen it happen many times).
~Playing ball, frisbee, corn hole, and kite-flying etc on the back side of the beach (dune side), not near beachgoers (the beach patrol will usually stop you anyway if you're in the wrong area.)
~shake towels and blankets away from others noting the wind direction.
~follow posted warnings (closed beaches, rip currents, surfboard/boogie board area etc) and always pay attention to lifeguards.
~(hubby suggested this one) If you must use your cell phone on the beach...courtesy would be not to hold a loud phone conversation for the ears of all around you. No one really wants to hear your phone conversation.
~Enjoy that beach!

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