By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

Get out the bathing suits, slather on some tanning lotion, grab the cooler and head for the pool, the beach, or even the sprinkler — the first day of summer is officially here.

Though rain is predicted for Saturday, extended forecasts call for a normal summer season with temperatures ranging in the mid-to-high 90s and rainfall about normal for this time of year.

“It looks like it is just going to be a normal summer, not abnormally warm, and not a whole lot of rain,” Mortra Lockwood, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said.

Friday marked the longest day of the year, the day in the northern hemisphere when the sun is farthest north, on June 20 or 21. This day is known as the Summer Solstice.

Summer days bring more daylight because this time of year the North Pole of the Earth is tilted toward the sun. It is also the day that the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.

Though there is a chance of rain Saturday, Lockwood said there should be enough sunny hours to officially welcome summer and have at least a partial day of family fun in the sun.

By Sunday, chances are rain will decrease, down to 20 percent, and temperatures are predicted to rise into the mid-90s.

With all the sunshine predicted for the coming summer months, sun worshipers should remember a bit of sun safety goes a long way in preventing sun damage.

It doesn’t take long out in the sun for most people to get the amount of vitamin D they need to help absorb calcium for strong bones. But, unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can result in skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and even cancer.

The following tips from the American Academy of Dermatology will help protect skin from sun damage.

• Generously apply water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to all exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION TM on products that meet these criteria.

• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.

• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.