Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Original photo by Ashley Media
Hastings gets a slow reveal Saturday: patchy morning fog, then a warm, partly sunny day near 86°F. It looks like a workable day for riverfront time, with a small rain chance waiting until after midnight.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: Near 86°F today; around 66°F Saturday night.
Fog: Patchy fog before 9 a.m.
Wind: East-northeast around 5 mph.
Feels like: Upper 80s during the afternoon.
Rain: A 20% shower and thunderstorm chance after midnight Saturday night.
Morning starts in the 60s, with fog possible in patches. Hourly guidance brings temperatures into the 70s by late morning, so the day should feel noticeably warmer as errands and weekend activities get going.
Afternoon brings a mix of clouds and sunshine. With little breeze and a forecast heat index near 89°F late in the day, a long walk around Levee Park may feel warmer than the thermometer suggests.
Saturday night turns partly cloudy. The point forecast places its slight shower and thunderstorm chance between 1 and 2 a.m. Sunday—an overnight possibility, rather than a forecast of rain throughout Saturday evening.
What to wear or plan
Light, breathable clothing should suit the warm afternoon.
Water, sunscreen and a shady break belong in longer outdoor plans.
Early drivers may need extra time where fog reduces visibility.
A rain layer is a sensible backup for anyone staying out well past midnight.
Weather + On This Date infographic by HastingsNow.com
Weather Joke of the Day
Why did the Hastings bridge sleep in Saturday? It wanted to wait until the fog lifted before making an appearance.
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1882 — The Mississippi Helps Turn On the Lights
On September 5, 1882, Minnesota Brush Electric Company began supplying centralized hydroelectric power from Upton Island, just below St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis. Water-driven machinery sent electricity through overhead wires to Washington Avenue businesses. MNopedia identifies it as the nation’s first centralized hydroelectric system—a bright chapter in the working history of the same Mississippi River that flows through Hastings.
Source: Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia — Hydroelectricity in Minneapolis, September 5, 1882
1774 — Twelve Colonies Gather in Philadelphia
On September 5, 1774, delegates from twelve colonies assembled at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress; Georgia did not send a delegation. They gathered to coordinate a response to British measures, including organizing a boycott of British goods. The meeting became an important step toward the colonies acting together.
Source: National Archives — The First Continental Congress Convenes
1977 — Voyager 1 Begins an Extraordinary Journey
On September 5, 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 on a mission to explore the outer planets. Its encounters with Jupiter and Saturn revealed new moons and other discoveries, and in August 2012 it entered interstellar space. A spacecraft built for planetary exploration became the first human-made object to reach that distant region.
Source: NASA Science — Voyager 1
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — Hastings Point Forecast — Accessed September 4, 2026, at 7:18 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Digital Hourly Forecast — Accessed September 4, 2026, at 7:19 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Dakota County Forecast — Accessed September 4, 2026, at 7:19 p.m. CT.
History sources
Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia — Hydroelectricity in Minneapolis, September 5, 1882 — Accessed September 4, 2026, at 7:19 p.m. CT.
National Archives — The First Continental Congress Convenes — Accessed September 4, 2026, at 7:18 p.m. CT.
NASA Science — Voyager 1 — Accessed September 4, 2026, at 7:18 p.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with summer storms, so readers should check official alerts and radar before heading out.
Make a little time to enjoy Hastings outdoors today.
