Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Saturday, March 21st
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Hastings gets one of those classic “wait, this is still March?” days today. The river town starts cool, then warms fast enough that downtown walks, Levee Park laps, and bridge photos suddenly feel a lot more like spring preview than late winter.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: Low-to-mid 70s this afternoon, then around 39°F tonight.
Precip chance + timing: A slight rain chance arrives late tonight, mainly after 1 a.m.; chance of precipitation is about 20%.
Wind: Southeast winds around 5 to 15 mph shift west this afternoon, then turn northerly overnight.
Alerts / hazards: No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
This looks like a one-day spring bonus round. The National Weather Service discussion says Saturday warmth could be well above normal, with record highs possible, before cooler air slides back in for Sunday. Expect a bright, warm afternoon, then more clouds late tonight with only a small shot at rain while most of Hastings is asleep.
What to wear / what to plan
Think layers: light shirt or hoodie by afternoon, jacket handy for later tonight.
This is a great outdoor window for downtown errands, a river walk, or some fresh-air kid energy.
If you’ll be out late, bring a light jacket and don’t be shocked if it feels much cooler after dark.
Weather Joke of the Day
Downtown Hastings is getting the kind of March weather that makes every winter coat nervous.
AI image by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1963 — Minnesota politics came down to 91 votes. On March 21, a judicial panel declared Karl Rolvaag the winner of Minnesota’s 1962 governor’s race by just ninety-one votes, and he was inaugurated four days later. It is a very Minnesota reminder that every single ballot really can matter.
1965 — The Selma-to-Montgomery march began. Civil rights activists led by Martin Luther King, Jr., started the protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, a defining moment in the U.S. civil rights movement.
1867 — Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was born. The future showman behind the Ziegfeld Follies was born on March 21 in Chicago; the Library of Congress notes that his lavish productions helped shape American musical revue and early modern show business.
How we know
National Weather Service — Hastings MN Point Forecast — forecast page for Hastings, Minnesota. Accessed Mar. 21, 2026, 4:56 a.m. CT.
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen — Hazardous Weather Outlook — outlook covering Dakota County and surrounding areas. Accessed Mar. 21, 2026, 4:56 a.m. CT.
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen — Area Forecast Discussion — forecast discussion noting above-normal temperatures and possible record highs on Saturday. Accessed Mar. 21, 2026, 4:56 a.m. CT.
Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia — Gubernatorial Election Recount, 1962 — source for the March 21, 1963 Rolvaag decision. Accessed Mar. 21, 2026, 4:56 a.m. CT.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — On This Day: March 21 — source for the Selma-to-Montgomery march entry. Accessed Mar. 21, 2026, 4:56 a.m. CT.
Library of Congress — Today in History - March 21 — source for Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.’s March 21 birth entry. Accessed Mar. 21, 2026, 4:56 a.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly near the river and across the region, so readers should always check official alerts before heading out.
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