Crowds Return to Ocean as Warmer Water Moves In

An cold ocean of 60.98 degrees greeted the new wave of weekly vacation renters who began to arrive on Saturday afternoon.

But this crowd apparently brought with them some good karma. The steady southwest winds that have kept the ocean in the 50s for much of July began to relent, and by noon Sunday, the ocean had reached 66.2 degrees. The water hit 70.7 degrees at noon on Monday.

With a bright sun and temperatures topping 90 degrees, the ocean provided welcome relief. Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards were busy throughout the island Monday as the masses moved from the beach to the water.

The average ocean temperature for July 16 to 31 at the Steel Pier station in nearby Atlantic City is 70 degrees.

Light winds in the forecast throughout the week should allow the ocean temperature to remain mild.