Ventnor cancels polar bear plunge due to frigid forecast

The forecast calls for a high temperature of 18 degrees.

WHYY/file

WHYY/file

The ongoing Arctic blast will keep “polar bears” from plunging in Ventnor on New Year’s Day.

The city’s annual Polar Bear Plunge has been canceled because of safety concerns due to a forecast high temperature of 18 degrees, according to a municipal news release.

The event’s organizer, Mike Weissen, contacted Ventnor Mayor Beth Holtzman Wednesday to discuss canceling the plunge, the release said. 

“As disappointing as this is, we would rather err on the side of safety and think canceling the right thing for Mr. Weissen to do,” the mayor and the city’s commissioners said in the release.

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The current ocean temperature in Atlantic City is 39.6 degrees — slightly more than 20 degrees warmer than the forecasted high temperature for New Year’s Day.

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