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Jersey Shore Mesonet

Jersey Shore Mesonet: Precision Weather Tracking for Barnegat Bay

When it comes to understanding and preparing for local weather, accurate, up-to-the-minute data is crucial—especially with the rise in severe weather events over the past 20 years. Yet, did you know the nearest official weather station to the Jersey Shore is in Mount Holly? That’s a long way off, which leaves significant data gaps. Fortunately, the Jersey Shore Mesonet is here to bridge those gaps.

Save Barnegat Bay proudly supports and partners in Dr. Michael Folmer’s Jersey Shore Mesonet Project, an independent, community-driven network of specialized weather stations installed across the Jersey Shore. These stations, hosted by local partners, gather precise data on wind speed, rainfall, and other essential weather conditions to give us a detailed, real-time view of the region’s unique weather patterns.

Dr. Michael Folmer, is a dedicated meteorologist and forecaster for the NWS Ocean Prediction Center, Weather Prediction Center, Tropical Analysis, and the Forecast Branch of the National Hurricane Center. Originally from Toms River, Dr. Folmer initiated this project to enhance local safety and provide his community with critical, localized weather insights that it has been sorely lacking. Each station’s data is meticulously reviewed by Dr. Folmer and then made publicly available, helping residents, boaters, and emergency services stay informed by creating a clearer and more accessible database for our local weather.

Current Mesonet Stations

Ten Jersey Shore Mesonet stations currently contribute to this network, including:

  • Island Beach State Park Bathhouse #1 (Island Beach State Park)
  • Sedge Island (Waretown)
  • Stafford Township Municipal Complex (Manahawkin)
  • Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science (Manahawkin)
  • Bay Head Fire Company (Bay Head)
  • Long Beach Township Field Station (Holgate)
  • LBI Foundation of the Arts & Sciences (Long Beach Township)
  • Beachwood Yacht Club (Beachwood)
  • Ocean Gate Yacht Club (Ocean Gate)
  • Seaside Park Yacht Club (Seaside Park)
  • Save Barnegat Bay EcoCenter (Toms River)

Each station improves our weather forecasting accuracy for the Jersey Shore, especially for communities around Barnegat Bay.

Get Involved!

With every new station, we gain a clearer, safer picture of local weather. Interested in joining the Mesonet network? Email outreach@savebarnegatbay.org to learn more.

Click here to view Mesonet data near you! (Link provided soon by Dr. Folmer)

Stay connected to the weather in your backyard and be a part of the solution with the Jersey Shore Mesonet.

Alexandra Sellitsch

Alex is 27 years old and is an aspiring marine biologist who is finishing up her junior year at Stockton University. Growing up by the beach has made a significant impact on Alex’s life, which has influenced her passion for the ocean. She is an advocate for elasmobranch conservation, and enjoys getting her hands dirty in research. Alex is currently an intern with Barnegat Bay, researching pathogen influences in the bay’s water. She is also an active intern partnering with one of her professors, who is researching dual seagrass habitats in the Mullica River-Great Bay Estuary. In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time at the beach and teaching herserself new hobbies. Hobbies that include roller skating, and surfing. Alex is also volunteering with the Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Rescue Team, and is in the process of obtaining her SCUBA certification.