Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
An original HastingsNow.com photo of the Hastings Bridge anchors this AI-assisted illustration of three October 2nd moments. The historical scenes are artistic interpretations.
Friday brings Hastings a sunny October day with a high near 61°F and a chilly start. It’s promising weather for downtown errands or a Mississippi River walk, with a jacket earning its keep before and after the afternoon sunshine.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: Near 61°F Friday; around 43°F Friday night.
Sky: Sunny during the day; partly cloudy overnight.
Rain: The current forecast shows a 0% precipitation chance Friday and Friday night.
Wind: North-northwest at 0–5 mph during the day; light south-southeast wind overnight.
Alerts: None active for the Hastings point when checked Thursday evening.
Friday morning looks cool and quiet. The National Weather Service’s hourly forecast places temperatures in the low to mid-40s during the early morning, gradually warming into the 50s later in the morning. That makes the trip to school or work a different clothing proposition from an afternoon outside.
The afternoon offers the most comfortable stretch for outdoor plans. Sunshine and a light breeze should make a loop through Levee Park, a downtown lunch break or a little yard work appealing. This is a sweater-weather afternoon rather than a return to summer warmth.
Friday night turns partly cloudy, with temperatures falling toward a low around 43°F. A sweatshirt or jacket will be useful for evening activities, especially for anyone spending an extended time outdoors. The forecast remains dry through the night.
What to wear or plan
Start with layers: a shirt plus a sweatshirt or light jacket.
Afternoon is the warmer window for walking, outdoor errands or yard work.
Keep an extra layer handy for evening plans and outdoor seating.
Weather Joke of the Day
My jacket asked for Friday afternoon off in Hastings. I approved it—then reminded it that the night shift starts at 43 degrees.
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1968 — A Presidential Pen Helps Protect America’s Rivers
On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, with Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale playing a key role in the legislation. Johnson gave Mondale one of the signing pens, which later became part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway’s collection. For a community that treasures its riverfront, it’s a fitting anniversary to remember.
Source: National Park Service — A Special Piece of History Donated to the Park
1967 — Thurgood Marshall Takes His Place on the Supreme Court
On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall took the judicial oath in the Supreme Court courtroom, becoming the nation’s first Black Supreme Court justice. He had already taken the constitutional oath on September 1. The Court’s own history distinguishes those two ceremonies, with October 2 marking this landmark moment on the nation’s highest bench.
Source: Supreme Court of the United States — Supreme Court Oath Firsts and Other Trivia
1950 — Peanuts Begins With Seven Newspapers
On October 2, 1950, Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts debuted as a four-panel comic strip in seven newspapers. Schulz, born in Minneapolis and raised in St. Paul, received $90 for his first month of strips. Seventy-six years later, that modest beginning offers a charming Minnesota reminder that something lasting can start with a small audience.
Source: Charles M. Schulz Museum — The Life of Charles M. Schulz
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — Hastings Point Metadata — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Period Forecast — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Hourly Forecast — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Active Alerts for Hastings — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
History sources
National Park Service — A Special Piece of History Donated to the Park — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:31 p.m. CT.
Supreme Court of the United States — Supreme Court Oath Firsts and Other Trivia — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:31 p.m. CT.
Charles M. Schulz Museum — The Life of Charles M. Schulz — Accessed October 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with summer storms, so readers should check official alerts and radar before heading out.
Make a little time to enjoy Hastings outdoors today.
