Hermine is messing up the weather and creating rough surf conditions, but Shore boardwalks and businesses are open.
If you're having visions of planting yourself on a beach chair and working on your tan on a sun-splashed Labor Day, you might have to wait until next year.
Mother Nature is not cooperating in the weather department, with mostly cloudy skies, rough surf and gusty winds expected along much of the Jersey Shore on Monday. However, most Shore businesses and attractions are open, so there are some things to do.
Shore weather outlook
Most of the Jersey Shore will have more clouds than sun on Labor Day, thanks to the outer bands of post-tropical cyclone Hermine, which continues to linger far offshore in the mid-Atlantic, off the coast of Maryland and drifting slowly north. During the afternoon, winds along the Shore are expected to increase to a steady 10 to 15 mph, with stronger gusts, according to the National Weather Service.
Red flags
If you do go to the beach today, expect to see lots of red flags. Most beaches are off-limits to swimming because of the dangerous rip currents generated by strong easterly winds. Some beaches are allowing surfing, and some are allowing visitors on the sand, but expect some wind to be blowing.
This map from the National Weather Service shows the tropical storm warning (red zone) that continues for the ocean waters off the coast of New Jersey on Labor Day. Boating danger
This is not a good day to go out on a boat. Ocean conditions are very rough, with waves rising as high as 10 to 14 feet and wind gusts offshore getting as high as 35 mph to 40 mph. Most importantly, a tropical storm warning remains in effect for all of the coastal waters off the New Jersey and Long Island coasts.
Island Beach State Park
Because of the danger anticipated from Hermine, Island State Park was initially going to be closed on Labor Day, However, now that the threat has diminished, the park will be open. It was scheduled to open at 9 a.m. Monday.
Jenkinson's Boardwalk
The popular pavilion in Point Pleasant Beach is fully operational on Labor Day. On Sunday night, the pavilion was evacuated because of a bomb threat that turned out to be unsubstantiated.
Staff writers Erin O'Neill, Cristina Rojas and Kevin Shea contributed to this report. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.