Weather & Seasons
Plan your perfect Jersey Shore trip with our comprehensive weather guide.
When to Visit
🔥 Peak Season
July - August
Hottest weather, warmest water, biggest crowds, highest prices. Perfect for beach lovers who don't mind sharing.
⭐ Best Value
September
Warm water (70°F+), empty beaches, 30-50% lower prices. Locals' favorite month. The shore's best-kept secret.
🏖️ Shoulder Season
June & October
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds, better deals. Water swimmable but refreshing. Great for active visitors.
Monthly Weather
January
lowHigh
41°F
Low
26°F
Water
42°F
Cold and quiet. Many businesses closed. Great for off-season exploring and winter beach walks.
February
lowHigh
43°F
Low
27°F
Water
40°F
Still cold but hints of spring. Valentine's getaways popular in Cape May. Fewer crowds everywhere.
March
lowHigh
51°F
Low
34°F
Water
42°F
Spring begins. Weather unpredictable - can be warm or snowy. Businesses start reopening.
April
lowHigh
61°F
Low
42°F
Water
48°F
Spring arrives. Warmer days, cool nights. Great for outdoor activities without crowds.
May
moderateHigh
70°F
Low
52°F
Water
56°F
Perfect shoulder season. Warm, uncrowded, lower prices. Beaches open Memorial Day weekend.
June
highHigh
79°F
Low
62°F
Water
65°F
Summer begins! Warm weather, water getting swimmable. Less crowded than July/August.
July
peakHigh
84°F
Low
68°F
Water
72°F
Peak summer. Hot, humid, crowded. Perfect beach weather. Water is warmest. Book everything ahead.
August
peakHigh
83°F
Low
67°F
Water
74°F
Peak season continues. Hot and humid. Water at its warmest. Still very crowded.
September
moderateHigh
76°F
Low
60°F
Water
71°F
Best kept secret! Warm water, empty beaches, lower prices. Hurricane season but rare impacts.
October
moderateHigh
65°F
Low
49°F
Water
63°F
Beautiful fall weather. Water still swimmable early month. Fall foliage. Halloween events.
November
lowHigh
54°F
Low
40°F
Water
54°F
Off-season begins. Cooler, quiet. Many businesses close. Great for peaceful getaways.
December
lowHigh
45°F
Low
32°F
Water
46°F
Holiday season. Cape May decorated beautifully. Cold but festive. Some businesses closed.
Ocean Water Temperature
42°
Jan
40°
Feb
42°
Mar
48°
Apr
56°
May
65°
Jun
72°
Jul
74°
Aug
71°
Sep
63°
Oct
54°
Nov
46°
Dec
Water temperatures are averages. Actual temps vary by location and year.
🌀 Hurricane Season
Peak period: August through October
The Jersey Shore is occasionally affected by tropical systems, primarily in August through October. Direct hurricane hits are rare, but tropical storms can bring heavy rain and dangerous surf.
Planning Tips
- •Monitor weather forecasts if traveling August-October
- •Purchase travel insurance for hurricane season trips
- •Know your evacuation routes
- •Never swim in rough surf after a storm
- •Storms usually provide 3-5 days notice - plenty of time to adjust plans
Best Months for Swimming
June
65°F
Water 65°F - refreshing but swimmable. Great beach weather.
July
72°F
Water 70-75°F - perfect for swimming. Crowded beaches.
August
74°F
Water 72-76°F - warmest of the year. Best for swimming.
September
71°F
Water still warm (68-72°F). Much fewer crowds. Best month for beach.
What to Pack by Season
What you pack depends entirely on when you visit. Here's what locals actually bring.
Summer (June-August)
✓ Essentials
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Wide-brim hat
- Polarized sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Beach towel (2 per person)
- Flip flops + one nice pair of shoes
⚠️ Often Forgotten
- After-sun aloe gel
- Waterproof phone case
- Cash for beach badges
- Light jacket for AC restaurants
✗ Skip
Jeans (too hot) • Black clothes (absorb heat) • Heavy makeup (will melt)
Fall (September-October)
✓ Essentials
- Layers (temps swing 20°F daily)
- Light rain jacket
- Closed-toe walking shoes
- Sweater for evenings
- Swimsuit (water still warm in Sept)
⚠️ Often Forgotten
- Windbreaker for beach walks
- Warmer blanket for outdoor dining
- Binoculars for birding
✗ Skip
Heavy winter coat (not yet) • Shorts-only wardrobe • Summer sandals as only footwear
Winter (November-March)
✓ Essentials
- Warm coat (wind chill is real)
- Waterproof boots
- Scarf and gloves
- Thermal layers
- Warm hat
⚠️ Often Forgotten
- Hand warmers for beach walks
- Moisturizer (salt air is drying)
- Indoor activity backup plans
✗ Skip
Beach gear (most beaches closed) • Light jackets only • Fashion over function
Spring (April-May)
✓ Essentials
- Rain jacket (April showers)
- Layers for variable temps
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light sweater
- Umbrella
⚠️ Often Forgotten
- Allergy medication
- Sunscreen (sun stronger than it feels)
- Windbreaker for breezy days
✗ Skip
Heavy winter gear • Swimsuit expectations (water still cold) • Beach umbrella
Best Activities by Weather
Different weather opens different opportunities. Here's what to do when.
Hot & Sunny (80°F+)
Best For
- • Beach swimming
- • Paddleboarding/kayaking
- • Boardwalk water parks
- • Morning surf sessions
Avoid
- • Midday beach (11am-3pm peak UV)
- • Unshaded hiking
- • Hot car travel
💡 Arrive at beach by 9am for best parking and cooler sand. Leave 3-5pm, return for sunset.
Overcast/Cloudy
Best For
- • Beach walking (no crowds)
- • Fishing (fish more active)
- • Outdoor dining
- • Mini golf
- • Biking
Avoid
- • Nothing—cloudy days are underrated!
- • Skipping sunscreen (UV still penetrates)
💡 Best beach photography lighting. No squinting, soft shadows, dramatic clouds.
Rainy
Best For
- • Arcade hopping
- • Winery/brewery tours
- • Museum visits
- • Indoor shopping
- • Spa treatments
- • Cooking classes
Avoid
- • Beach (obviously)
- • Open water activities
- • Rooftop dining
💡 Arcades at Jenkinsons and Point Pleasant are massive. Rain brings locals inside—authentic experience.
Windy (15+ mph)
Best For
- • Kite flying
- • Surfing (offshore wind = clean waves)
- • Indoor activities
- • Lighthouse climbing (views!)
Avoid
- • Beach lounging (sand blowing)
- • Paddleboarding
- • Umbrella setup attempts
💡 Wind from the west = bugs blown away, cleaner water. Wind from east = rougher waves.
Cool but Nice (60-70°F)
Best For
- • Biking shore trails
- • Beach walks
- • Hiking Island Beach State Park
- • Outdoor festivals
- • Fishing
Avoid
- • Extended swimming (water may be cold)
- • Expecting summer crowds (off-season!)
💡 Shoulder season goldmine. Restaurants less crowded, hotels cheaper, weather often perfect.
Beach Safety Guide
The ocean demands respect. Understanding these hazards keeps your trip fun and safe.
Rip Currents
Narrow channels of fast-moving water pulling away from shore. Responsible for 80% of beach rescues.
Warning Signs
- Choppy, discolored water
- Line of foam moving seaward
- Gap in breaking waves
If It Happens
- Don't fight it—swim parallel to shore
- Float and wave for help if tired
- Let it carry you out, then swim sideways
Prevention
Swim near lifeguards. Check flag warnings. Ask lifeguards about conditions.
Lightning
Beach is the worst place during storms—you're the tallest object. Sound travels far over water.
Warning Signs
- Thunder (even distant)
- Darkening clouds
- Sudden wind shift
If It Happens
- Get off beach immediately
- Seek enclosed building or car
- Avoid boardwalk metal structures
Prevention
Check weather before beach day. When thunder roars, head indoors immediately.
Jellyfish
Sea nettles and lion's mane jellyfish common in late summer. Stings painful but rarely dangerous.
Warning Signs
- Purple flags on beach
- Dead jellies on sand
- Other swimmers exiting water
If It Happens
- Rinse with seawater (not fresh)
- Remove tentacles with card/stick
- Seek lifeguard for serious stings
Prevention
Check with lifeguards before swimming. Shuffle feet in shallow water.
Sun Exposure
UV reflects off water and sand, increasing exposure. Burns happen faster than expected.
Warning Signs
- Red skin (already burned)
- Feeling overheated
- Headache
If It Happens
- Get shade immediately
- Cool shower
- Hydrate
- Aloe gel
Prevention
SPF 50+ every 2 hours. Seek shade 11am-3pm. Wear hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
UV Index by Month
UV intensity varies dramatically by month. Here's when to be most careful.
| Month | UV Index | Risk | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 6-8 | High | Sun stronger than it feels. Start protection routine. |
| June | 8-10 | Very High | Peak UV begins. Limit 10am-4pm exposure. |
| July | 9-11 | Extreme | Maximum UV. Reapply every 90 min in water. |
| August | 8-10 | Very High | Still intense. Don't get complacent. |
| September | 5-7 | Moderate | Deceiving—still need protection. |
| October | 3-5 | Low | Milder, but sunscreen still smart. |
Rainy Day Backup Plans
Don't let weather ruin your trip. Every region has great indoor options.
Monmouth County
- • Silverball Museum (Asbury Park)
- • Count Basie Center shows
- • Red Bank shopping/dining
- • Asbury Park Convention Hall
Ocean County
- • Jenkinsons Aquarium
- • Point Pleasant arcades
- • Toms River movies
- • LBI boutique shopping
Atlantic County
- • Casino gaming (all day)
- • Outlet shopping
- • Atlantic City Aquarium
- • Boardwalk Hall events
Cape May County
- • Cape May MAC tours
- • Wildwood boardwalk arcades
- • Winery hopping
- • Wetlands Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit the Jersey Shore?
September is the best-kept secret - warm water (70°F+), empty beaches, and lower prices. For peak beach weather, July and August offer the warmest water (72-74°F) but are most crowded.
When is the water warm enough to swim at the Jersey Shore?
Water temperatures reach swimmable levels (65°F+) from mid-June through October. The warmest water is in August (74°F). Most people find July through September ideal for ocean swimming.
Does the Jersey Shore get hurricanes?
Direct hurricane hits are rare, but tropical storms can affect the area August through October. Hurricane Sandy (2012) was an exception. Most seasons pass without significant impact.
What is the off-season at the Jersey Shore?
November through April is off-season. Many businesses close, but Cape May stays active year-round. Prices are significantly lower and beaches are peaceful for walking.
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