Barnegat Morning Report, Aug. 25

Good morning, folks. Today is Thursday, Aug. 25.

WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

Hurricane Irene is marching closer, and the first hurricane watch for a section of the East Coast – North Carolina's Outer Banks – is now in effect. New Jersey remains nearly in the center of the storm's cone of uncertainty. We'll continue our watch of Irene's progress and our reports of emergency preparations today.

Also on the way is the story on Marchioni's Pizza & Pasta, which recently got a "best of" nod for its pies.

And we'll have reports on a nonprofit that's helping first-time homebuyers in the county and on a recent after-hours meetup of businesses organized by the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce.

EVENTS:

• The  plays host to a from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today. Call 1-800-448-3543 to make your appointment.

• The will be held in the downtown municipal lot from noon to 5 p.m.

• The musical  continues its run at the Stafford Performing Arts Center, 1000 McKinley Ave., Manahawkin. The well-loved play based on Charles Dickens' Victorian masterpiece shows every day at 7 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 26.

WEATHER: 

The threat of major weather from Irene is increasing, with possible tropical storm conditions arriving Saturday night. But today brings merely rain and the possibility for a few T-storms.

• Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind between 15 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. 

• Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. 

BARNEGAT INLET TIDES:

• 4:53 a.m.: High
• 11:17 p.m.: Low
• 5:09 p.m.: High