Friday is the 2025 summer solstice, or the first day of astronomical summer. And, right on time, National Weather Service says the first Alabama heat wave of the 2025 summer is expected to begin this weekend. And it could last well into next week.

June 20 marks the first official day of summer, with millions of Americans already under heat warnings. See cities hotter than Florida right now.

Here’s what to expect and how to stay safe for a heat wave forecasters say will hit the region starting next week.