Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
An original HastingsNow.com photo of the Hastings Bridge anchors this AI-assisted illustration of three October 15th moments. The historical scenes are artistic interpretations.
Friday brings Hastings a brisk autumn reset: early rain chances, afternoon sunshine breaking through and wind that means business. The National Weather Service forecasts a high near 50°F, followed by a frosty night around 30°F.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Friday-night low: Near 50°F / around 30°F.
Rain: A 50% chance before 9 a.m., with drier conditions afterward.
Wind: North-northwest at 15–25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph.
Overnight: Mostly clear, with widespread frost after 11 p.m.
Active alert: Freeze Watch for late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Friday morning starts in the low 40s, with a chance of rain before 9 a.m. A cool start and strengthening wind make a jacket useful even for a short trip outside. A hood may be easier to manage than an umbrella.
The afternoon should turn partly sunny, with temperatures reaching about 50°F. Hourly guidance favors more sunshine later in the day, but the breeze will remain noticeable. Open stretches along the Mississippi River may feel less inviting than a sheltered downtown sidewalk.
Friday night brings mostly clear skies and lighter winds as temperatures fall toward 30°F. Widespread frost is forecast after 11 p.m., making this an important evening for anyone with tender plants still outdoors.
Separately, the NWS has issued a Freeze Watch for Hastings and surrounding Dakota County, covering 1–9 a.m. Saturday, October 17. Subfreezing temperatures could harm sensitive vegetation and unprotected outdoor plumbing. The current alert message expires at 7 a.m. Friday, ahead of the watch’s stated hazard window; subsequent updates may replace that message.
What to wear or plan
A warm layer beneath a wind-resistant jacket for daytime errands.
A hood or snug hat for exposed outdoor areas.
Secured lightweight decorations, patio items and empty containers.
An extra layer for evening activities as temperatures fall.
Weather Joke of the Day
Why did the scarecrow skip its walk through Levee Park? With gusts up to 40 mph, it was worried about becoming a kite.
Weather + On This Date Infographic by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1992 — A Neighborhood’s Ingenuity Becomes a National Park
On October 16, 1992, Congress established Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Ohio to preserve places connected with the Wright brothers and author Paul Laurence Dunbar. Its story brings together bicycle shops, printing, aviation and literature—a reminder that extraordinary achievements can grow from ordinary neighborhood buildings worth keeping.
Source: National Park Service — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park: General Management Plan
1846 — A Demonstration Helps Change Surgery
On October 16, 1846, dentist William T. G. Morton demonstrated ether anesthesia during an operation at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Surgeon John Collins Warren performed the procedure, and the patient reported feeling a scraping sensation without pain. The successful public demonstration gave the hospital’s surgical amphitheater its enduring name: the Ether Dome.
Source: Massachusetts General Hospital’s Russell Museum — The Ether Dome
1923 — A Small Contract Starts a Big Story
On October 16, 1923, Walt Disney signed a contract with distributor Margaret Winkler to produce the Alice Comedies, marking the official beginning of the company he built with his brother Roy. The silent films combined a real girl with an animated world. Before the theme parks and familiar characters, there was a short agreement signed in a family home.
Source: The Walt Disney Company — Here’s How a Four-Page Contract Started The Walt Disney Company
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — Hastings Period Forecast — Accessed October 15, 2026, at 4:57 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Hourly Forecast — Accessed October 15, 2026, at 4:57 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Active Alerts for Hastings — Accessed October 15, 2026, at 4:57 p.m. CT.
History sources
National Park Service — Dayton Aviation Heritage: General Management Plan — Accessed October 15, 2026, at 4:58 p.m. CT.
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Russell Museum — The Ether Dome — Accessed October 15, 2026, at 4:57 p.m. CT.
The Walt Disney Company — Here’s How a Four-Page Contract Started The Walt Disney Company — Accessed October 15, 2026, at 4:57 p.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with summer storms, so readers should check official alerts and radar before heading out.
Bring tender plants indoors before Friday night’s cold settles in.
