Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Original photo by Ashley Media
Saturday begins on the damp and foggy side in Hastings, but the steadier rain should move out early. Expect a cool, cloudy day for errands, activities and time around town.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High near 65°F; nighttime low around 53°F
Rain likely early, followed by drizzle and patchy fog through the morning
Cloudy during the afternoon
East-northeast wind around 10 mph
No active National Weather Service alerts when checked
Rain showers are likely around daybreak, with patchy fog also possible. The National Weather Service expects the steadier showers to taper before 7 a.m., followed by a chance of drizzle and areas of fog.
The fog and slight drizzle could linger into late morning, so visibility may vary during early trips around Hastings. By noon, the forecast turns simply cloudy, with temperatures gradually climbing into the middle 60s.
Saturday afternoon looks cool, gray and mostly dry. An east-northeast breeze around 10 mph may make it feel a little cooler near the Mississippi River or on an exposed stretch of the riverfront.
A slight chance of drizzle returns between approximately 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday night. Otherwise, skies remain mostly cloudy as temperatures fall toward 53°F, with a north-northeast wind of 5–10 mph.
What to wear or plan
A light waterproof layer for the morning
Extra stopping distance in areas of fog
A sweater or light jacket for afternoon activities
Another layer for evening plans near the river
Weather Joke of the Day
Saturday’s fog asked the Hastings bridge for directions. The bridge said, “Hang around until noon—I should clear things up.”
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1783 — A Sheep, Duck and Rooster Take Flight
On September 19, 1783, the Montgolfier brothers launched a hot-air balloon from Versailles carrying a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The unusual passengers became the first living creatures to fly in a human-made aircraft, and all three survived the short journey—helping prepare the way for the first crewed balloon flight later that year.
Source: Palace of Versailles — The First Hot-Air Balloon Flight
1893 — New Zealand Women Win the Vote
On September 19, 1893, Governor Lord Glasgow signed New Zealand’s Electoral Act into law. New Zealand became the first self-governing country where women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections, following years of organizing and petitions—including an 1893 campaign supported by nearly one-quarter of the country’s adult female population.
Source: New Zealand History — Women Win the Right to Vote
1982 — A Sideways Smile Changes Online Conversation
On September 19, 1982, Carnegie Mellon computer scientist Scott Fahlman proposed using :-) to identify jokes on an online bulletin board. He also suggested :-( for serious messages. His playful solution to misunderstandings in text-based conversation spread through computer networks and helped shape the emoticons—and eventually the emoji-filled messages—we use today.
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — Hastings Point Forecast — Accessed September 18, 2026, at 7:36 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Hourly Forecast — Accessed September 18, 2026, at 7:36 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Active Alerts for Hastings — Accessed September 18, 2026, at 7:36 p.m. CT.
History sources
Palace of Versailles — The First Hot-Air Balloon Flight — Accessed September 18, 2026, at 7:36 p.m. CT.
New Zealand History — Women Win the Right to Vote — Accessed September 18, 2026, at 7:36 p.m. CT.
Carnegie Mellon University — Smiley Lore — Accessed September 18, 2026, at 7:36 p.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with summer storms, so readers should check official alerts and radar before heading out.
Give the morning fog a little time to lift, then enjoy a cool Saturday around Hastings.
