Long may it last.

Met Éireann is predicting a glorious long weekend of sunshine over the June bank holiday, as the hot spell continues and temperatures increase again in the coming days.

According to the forecasters, it will be largely sunny today, Friday, although some cloud will build at times, with highest temperatures of 18 to 24 degrees.

Saturday and Sunday will be dry and mild with plenty of sunshine and temperatures of up to 25C, with similar conditions expected on bank holiday Monday.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, there’ll be very little change with mostly dry and sunny weather, staying largely dry and mild with plenty of sunshine as high pressure remains nearby for the rest of the week.

HSE issues sun safety advice ahead of weekend scorcher

As we head into the bank holiday weekend, the HSE is urging the public to cover up and wear sunscreen. With almost 13,000 cases diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in this country.

“No sunscreen can provide 100 percent protection so it is important to use shade, clothes, and sunglasses too.” said Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE NCCP.

“In this way, you get the best possible protection from UV damage. In Ireland, make sun protection part of your daily routine particularly from April-September, even when it is cloudy. Stay safe by limiting time in the midday sun when UV is strongest, typically between the hours of 11am-3pm.”

Even on cloudy days, from April to September, ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels in Ireland can be high enough to damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

As part of the HSE SunSmart campaign, professional Irish golfer, Padraig Harrington revealed that he had some basal cell carcinomas, a form of non-melanoma skin cancer removed from his face as a precaution.

“Looking back I wish I had worn hats and applied sunscreen more frequently as a teenager.” he said.

“Looking back I wish I had worn hats and applied sunscreen more frequently as a teenager. To reduce the risk, we can all protect our skin and enjoy the outdoors by following the simple SunSmart 5 S’s, monitor changes to our skin and see a doctor as soon as they occur.”

Read… pic.twitter.com/UO1bYAdPhu

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) June 1, 2023

“To reduce the risk, we can all protect our skin and enjoy the outdoors by following the simple SunSmart 5 S’s, monitor changes to our skin and see a doctor as soon as they occur.”

The five Ss are: Slip on clothing, slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen: slap on a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.