As Met Éireann forecasts sunny weather for the May Bank Holiday weekend, farmers are being urged to be "sun smart".

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is reminding those spending time outdoors to protect themselves from the damaging effects of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

The UV index, available on the Met Éireann website and app, measures the strength of the sun’s UV rays so that people know how and when to protect their skin when outdoors.

UV is strongest between 11:00a.m and 3:00p.m from April to September.

The higher the UV index, the higher the risk of skin and eye damage. When the index is 3 or above, people need to protect their skin and eyes.

Liz Coleman, deputy head of forecasting at Met Éireann, said that people should not assume that just because there is cloud that the sun’s rays are not damaging.

She added that enjoying the sun safely means understanding the UV Index, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade during the middle of the day, and using sunscreen.

Coleman also highlighted the "SunSmart 5 S’s", even when it is cloudy:

Slip on clothing that covers skin as much as possible;
Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB protection) sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, that has high UVA protection and is water-resistant. Reapply regularly;
Slap on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, ears, and neck;
Seek shade especially if outdoors between 11:00a.m and 3:00p.m from April to September when UV from the sun is strongest;
Slide on sunglasses.

Dr. Breeda Neville, specialist in public health medicine with HSE NCCP, said that being sun smart is just as important here in Ireland as when holidaying abroad.

"From April to September, the sun’s UV rays are strong enough to damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer, even on cloudy days," she said.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 new cases diagnosed every year

The HSE also offered the following advice when it comes to applying sunscreen:

It is recommended to choose a sunscreen with an sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+ for adults and 50+ for children;
Sunscreen should also have a UVA logo, star rating, or PA rating, all of which are used to indicate the level of UVA protection;
Apply generously and use more than you think you need. Do not forget your nose, ears, neck, hands, feet, and lips;
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside to allow it to absorb into the skin;
Do not forget to reapply every 2 hours or more often after swimming, towel drying, or sweating;
Using sunscreen does not mean you can spend longer in the sun;
Sunscreen loses effectiveness over time, so always check the expiry date before use;
UV rays can penetrate clouds, so it is still important to use sunscreen even on cloudy, overcast days.
It is better to protect babies up to 6-months-old from sunlight by using shade and clothing rather than sunscreen.