Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Monday, May 18th
AI image by HastingsNow.com
It’s a gray, foggy start in Hastings today — the kind of morning where downtown feels quiet, the river looks sleepy, and coffee gets promoted to “essential equipment.” Keep an eye on the evening, though: showers and thunderstorms are expected to become much more likely tonight.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: High near 68°F; low tonight around 47°F
Precipitation: 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms today, mainly after 5 p.m.; 100% chance tonight
Wind: Calm early, becoming west-northwest around 5 mph; tonight west-northwest 5–15 mph
Alerts / hazards: Hazardous Weather Outlook listed; patchy fog before 11 a.m.; storms tonight could bring heavy rainfall and 1–2 inches of new rain
Hastings starts Monday mostly cloudy with patchy fog hanging around into the late morning. The daytime forecast is not a washout, but the chance of showers and thunderstorms increases late in the day, mainly after 5 p.m. Tonight is the bigger weather window, with showers and thunderstorms likely before 1 a.m., then more showers possible after that. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall, so plan for a soggy night and watch for changing road conditions.
What to wear / what to plan
A light jacket or sweatshirt should feel right early.
Keep the umbrella handy for late afternoon and evening.
Outdoor plans are better earlier in the day than later.
Check official alerts before evening driving or sports.
Weather Joke of the Day
Today’s Hastings forecast is so gloomy that even the Mississippi looks like it hit snooze — but by supper, it may be reaching for an umbrella.
Infographic by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1955 — Mary McLeod Bethune dies in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune was an educator and national leader who founded a school with an initial investment of just $1.50, later served as president of what became Bethune-Cookman College, and advised U.S. presidents on minority affairs.
1918 — A Goodhue County case tested free speech in wartime. MNopedia notes that the May 18, 1918 conviction of Nonpartisan League leader Joseph Gilbert in Red Wing sent a strong message that wartime dissent in Minnesota would be strictly limited. For Hastings readers, it’s a close-to-home reminder that big national questions often pass through nearby county courthouses.
1970 — Tina Fey is born. The comedian, writer, and actress was born May 18, 1970, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and went on to become Saturday Night Live’s first female head writer before creating and starring in 30 Rock.
How we know
National Weather Service — “Hastings MN” point forecast. Link: National Weather Service forecast page. Current conditions were last updated 5:15 a.m. CDT, and the point forecast page showed a forecast last update of 2:21 a.m. CDT May 18, 2026; accessed May 18, 2026, 5:26 a.m. CT.
Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia — “This Day in Minnesota History.” Link: MNopedia This Day in Minnesota History; accessed May 18, 2026, 5:26 a.m. CT.
Library of Congress — “Today in History - May 18.” Link: Library of Congress Today in History; accessed May 18, 2026, 5:26 a.m. CT.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — “Tina Fey.” Link: Britannica biography; accessed May 18, 2026, 5:26 a.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with thunderstorms, so readers should check official alerts before making evening plans.
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