Honestly, most people think the Jersey Shore basically shuts down the second Labor Day ends. They're wrong. If you’re looking at the weather in Belmar NJ tomorrow, Friday, January 16, 2026, you’re in for a day that’s quintessential "Winter at the Shore." It's gonna be crisp. It’s gonna be bright. And yeah, you’ll definitely need more than just a light hoodie.
The sky is looking to be a solid, clear blue for most of the day. We’re talking full sun. But don't let those rays fool you into thinking it's warm out there. The high is only hitting 35°F. When you factor in that steady west wind blowing at 17 mph, it's gonna feel a lot more like the low 20s against your skin.
What to Actually Expect on the Sand
If you’ve never walked the Belmar boardwalk in mid-January, tomorrow is actually a pretty great day to try it, provided you layer up like an onion. The humidity is sitting at 47%, so it’s that dry, biting cold that makes your coffee stay hot for approximately four minutes.
The ocean is a beast of its own right now. The water temperature is hovering around 40°F. Unless you’re one of those local surfers with a 6/5mm hooded wetsuit and a serious tolerance for brain freeze, you aren't going in. The surf forecast shows things are pretty "clean" but tiny—only about 0-1 ft waves at 6:00 AM. Basically, the ocean is a lake tomorrow.
👉 See also: Red Hook Hudson Valley: Why People Are Actually Moving Here (And What They Miss)
Tide Times and Daylight
Timing your walk is everything. You don't want to get stuck on a narrow strip of sand if you decide to jump off the boardwalk.
- High Tide: 5:20 AM and 5:46 PM
- Low Tide: 11:39 AM and 11:35 PM
Low tide right around noon is your sweet spot. You get the maximum amount of beach to roam, and the sun will be at its peak—though "peak" in January still feels like a refrigerated flashlight.
Is There Anything Actually Happening?
Surprisingly, yeah. Belmar doesn't just ghost everyone in the winter. If the weather in Belmar NJ tomorrow makes you want to stay indoors, there’s a Tai Chi session at 10:00 AM. If you're more into the arts, the Union County Performing Arts Center over in Rahway is doing a 35mm screening of The Godfather Part II at 7:00 PM. It's a bit of a drive, but a classic way to escape the 21°F overnight low we're expecting.
✨ Don't miss: Physical Features of the Middle East Map: Why They Define Everything
By the time the sun dips, those clear skies are going to start gathering some clouds. The night-time precipitation chance is low—only 10%—but there’s a tiny whisper of a snow flurry possible late Friday night into Saturday morning. Nothing that's gonna require a shovel, just enough to remind you it's January in Monmouth County.
The Realistic Shore Strategy
Look, the boardwalk is going to be empty compared to July. That’s the draw. You get the sound of the Atlantic without the sound of ten thousand tourists.
Pro-tip: Start at the 16th Avenue entrance. The wind is coming from the west, so the buildings will actually give you a tiny bit of a windbreak compared to the more open stretches. Grab a hot chocolate from a local spot on Main Street before you head over. You’ve got to keep those hands warm.
🔗 Read more: Philly to DC Amtrak: What Most People Get Wrong About the Northeast Corridor
Basically, tomorrow is a day for the locals and the brave. It’s sunny, it’s windy, and it’s unapologetically cold. If you can handle the 17 mph gusts, the views of the winter Atlantic are usually way more dramatic than the summer haze anyway.
Actionable Next Steps
Check your tire pressure tonight; these 20-degree drops in temperature love to trigger those annoying dashboard sensors. If you're heading to the beach, pack a windbreaker over your wool coat—the west wind coming off the land can be surprisingly sharp. Plan your outdoor walk for between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to catch the best of the "warmth" and the low tide.