Hurricane Maria to blame for rip currents

Hurricane Maria, which whacked Puerto Rico with ruinous 140 mph winds, won't be visiting New Jersey, but that doesn't mean we won't feel its power.

Forecasters are projecting Hurricane Maria, which is now a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph sustained winds, will continue to weaken before it makes a hard eastward turn on Wednesday.

None of Maria's wind, rain or tidal flooding is expected to reach New Jersey, but the Shore is already experiencing dangerous surf created by her swells.

Dozens of water rescues were reported over the weekend and at least two people died while bathing in the waters off Monmouth and Ocean counties.

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“At least through Thursday it looks like we’ll be seeing a higher risk of rip currents," said Valerie Meola, a meteorologist at the Mount Holly office of the National Weather Service. "We’re definitely feeling impacts from a Maria as well as what we had been experiencing from Jose. There wasn’t really much of a break in between.”

Tropical Storm Jose passed some 200 miles off the New Jersey coast, where it whipped up fierce waves and threatened to deliver moderate coastal flooding — although it ultimately didn't.

After besieging Puerto Rico with hours of roof-ripping winds and a flooding rain as seen in the videos above, Maria bent to the northwest and now threatens to brush coastal North Carolina.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Outer Banks and the Pamlico Sound.

Despite initially taking a track similar to Jose, Hurricane Maria will not threaten New Jersey with direct impacts.

As for the rest of the week, New Jersey is looking at highs in the low 80s early on before scattered showers mid-week cool things down a bit. The weekend should be sunny and pleasant, according to the weather service.

More importantly, after a devastating run of powerful hurricanes — Harvey in late August then Irma, Jose and Maria — the Atlantic Ocean is clear for the time being.

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Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com