Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Monday, May 11th
AI image by HastingsNow.com
Hastings gets a classic May two-step today: a frosty early start by the river, then sunny, easygoing spring weather for downtown errands, school drop-offs, and a walk near Levee Park. Keep the jacket handy early; by afternoon, the day should feel much friendlier.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: High near 66°F; low around 50°F tonight.
Precipitation: Dry through the daytime. Showers likely tonight, mainly between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., with a 60% chance.
Wind: Calm early, becoming south around 5 mph this afternoon. Tonight, south-southeast 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.
Alerts / hazards:Areas of frost before 8 a.m. Other alerts: (not provided).
Feels-like note: Early morning conditions were chilly, with a wind chill near 36°F at the 4:55 a.m. update.
After a cold, frosty start, Hastings should turn sunny and calmer through the day. Afternoon plans look pretty comfortable, especially if you are heading downtown, taking the dog around the block, or sneaking in a quick river view. By late tonight, clouds build back in and showers become likely after midnight, so the Monday-to-Tuesday overnight hours may be damp.
What to wear / what to plan
Start with a jacket or hoodie, especially before 8 a.m.
Sunglasses should earn their keep by midday.
Check tender plants and planters early because of the frost.
Keep an umbrella nearby tonight, not necessarily during the day.
Weather Joke of the Day
Even the Hastings bridge needed a light jacket this morning, but by afternoon it should be sunny enough to wave at the Mississippi like spring meant it.
Infographic by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1858 — Minnesota became the 32nd state. Congress admitted Minnesota into the Union on May 11, 1858; MNopedia notes that this followed Minnesota’s constitutional convention and approval process. A river-town detail Hastings readers may appreciate: the Minnesota Secretary of State says word of the admission reached St. Paul later by steamboat because Minnesota had no telegraph lines or railroads at the time.
1910 — Glacier National Park was established. The National Park Service says Glacier National Park was established on May 11, 1910, to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources for future generations. A nice outdoor note for a sunny Hastings day: the park later became part of the world’s first International Peace Park.
1997 — Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov. On May 11, 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue won the final game of its rematch against world chess champion Garry Kasparov, marking a major moment in computer history. The Computer History Museum describes it as the date a world chess champion lost a match to a computer.
How we know
National Weather Service — “Detailed Forecast, Hastings MN” — Forecast URL: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.7281&lon=-92.8577 — forecast details provided in today’s editor packet, updated 4:58 a.m. CT; accessed May 11, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT.
Library of Congress — “Today in History - May 11” — accessed May 11, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT.
MNopedia / Minnesota Historical Society — “Minnesota Constitutional Convention, 1857” — accessed May 11, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT.
Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State — “Admission of Minnesota into the Union 1858” — accessed May 11, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT.
National Park Service — “Press Kit - Glacier National Park” — accessed May 11, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT.
Computer History Museum — “Defeating the World Chess Champion” — accessed May 11, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, so readers should check the National Weather Service and official alerts before making weather-sensitive plans.
If this helped, share it with a neighbor or subscribe to HastingsNow.
