Ocean Temperatures Not Rising

The storm known as "Arthur" is old news by now, but it's having a lasting effect on ocean temperatures along the Jersey coast. The water is colder, and it will be for a while.

Just two weekends ago, temperatures were settling in the lower 70s at several New Jersey beaches, but now swimmers are dealing with readings that range from the upper 50s to mid 60s.

High waves and wind, provided by Arthur when it was a hurricane churning up the East Coast, caused much of the colder, deeper water to come up top and mix with the surf that bathers would normally encounter, according to Nick Troiano with WeatherWorks in Hackettstown.

"We call that upwelling," Troiano said. "Temperatures dropped a good 10 degrees."

Troiano said the water is currently "mixed very well" and could take a long time to settle.

Making matters worse, easterly winds are in the forecast for this weekend, and Troiano said that should promote more upwelling.

"I would say we have to get into a more favorable pattern where we get strong northwest, or even northerly winds, that help to bring up the warmer water," he added.