Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Saturday, January 31

AI image by HastingsNow.com

Sunshine over the Mississippi River always makes Hastings feel a little more doable—even when the air is doing that classic “January is still in charge” thing. Enjoy the calm while you can… because snow is planning a late-night entrance.

Today’s Weather in Hastings

At a glance

• High / Low: 18°F / 11°F

• Precip chance + timing window: Snow likely late tonight (mainly after 3am) — 90% chance; around 1 inch possible

• Wind (speed + direction) + “feels like”: Calm early, becoming south ~5 mph this afternoon; south-southeast 5–10 mph overnight (feels like: (not provided))

• Alerts/hazards: (not provided)

Forecast, in plain English (morning → afternoon → evening)
Today is mostly about sun and cold. The morning stays quiet with light wind, and the afternoon adds just a gentle southerly breeze—nice for a quick downtown errand or a bundled-up loop near Levee Park. Tonight starts fairly calm, then clouds build and snow becomes likely after 3am, which could mean a lightly covered driveway and slower sidewalks by early Sunday.

Quick local snapshot (optional nerdy detail): The NWS page shows fair skies and 0°F at the nearest listed reporting station, updated 4:55am CST.

What to wear / what to plan (quick hits)

• Warm coat + hat + gloves (18°F is “looks fine, feels spicy”).

• If you’ll be out late: keep a snow brush handy for the overnight change.

• Watch for slick spots near shaded sidewalks and along the riverfront if anything refreezes.

Weather Joke of the Day

Mostly sunny at Levee Park today, snow after 3am tonight… basically a postcard that turns into a snow globe while you sleep.

AI image by HastingsNow.com

On This Date: A Little Time Capsule

• 1780 — Explorer and mapmaker Jonathan Carver, who left detailed journals and maps of parts of what would become Minnesota (including the area later named Carver County), died on January 31.

• 1848 — Major John C. Frémont, known for his Western expeditions, was court-martialed on January 31 amid a dispute over governing authority in California after it was ceded to the United States; he later resigned his commission.

• 1958 — Explorer 1 launched on January 31, becoming the first U.S. satellite successfully sent into space—an early milestone in America’s space era.

How we know

Sources used (publish time zone: America/Chicago). Accessed timestamp: Jan 31, 2026, 5:16:36 AM CT.

• National Weather Service (NOAA)

  • Page title: National Weather Service Forecast — Hastings MN

  • Link: NWS Hastings point forecast

  • Accessed Jan 31, 2026, 5:16:36 AM CT

  • Page notes: “Last Update: 4:41 am CST Jan 31, 2026”

• Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia

  • Page title: Carver, Jonathan (1710–1780) | MNopedia

  • Link: MNopedia entry

  • Accessed Jan 31, 2026, 5:16:36 AM CT

• Library of Congress

  • Page title: Today in History – January 31

  • Link: LOC Today in History page

  • Accessed Jan 31, 2026, 5:16:36 AM CT

• NASA

  • Page title: Explorer 1 – NASA

  • Link: NASA mission page

  • Accessed Jan 31, 2026, 5:16:36 AM CT

Weather can change quickly—especially around snow timing—so check official NWS alerts for the latest watches and warnings.

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