Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
AI image by HastingsNow.com
Sunday brings Hastings plenty of sunshine and another warm summer afternoon, although wildfire smoke may affect the morning and early afternoon. The daytime stays dry, while showers and thunderstorms become increasingly likely late Sunday night.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: Near 89°F today and 70°F tonight
Conditions: Sunny with patchy smoke before 2 p.m.
Rain: Dry during the day; 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight
Wind: Calm early, becoming south around 5 mph during the afternoon
Active alert: Air Quality Alert through 2 p.m. Monday
Sunday morning should be sunny, but patchy wildfire smoke may remain over Hastings. An official Air Quality Alert is in effect, with unhealthy air possible across affected parts of eastern and southern Minnesota.
The smoke is forecast to become less noticeable after about 2 p.m. Hastings should otherwise have a sunny and warm afternoon, with temperatures climbing toward 89°F and only a light southerly breeze.
Sunday evening begins quietly, but the weather changes overnight. A chance of showers and thunderstorms develops before 3 a.m., followed by a greater likelihood of rain and thunderstorms toward daybreak Monday. Rainfall amounts between one-quarter and one-half inch are possible.
What to wear or plan
Choose lightweight clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen for the warm, sunny afternoon.
Reduce strenuous outdoor activity if the air looks smoky or you notice coughing, irritation or shortness of breath.
Keep windows closed when smoke is noticeable outdoors.
Check the radar before bed and keep overnight weather alerts enabled.
Weather Joke of the Day
What did the sun tell the Hastings bridge Sunday morning? “You take the river view—I’ve got the day shift, and the thunderstorms can clock in overnight.”
AI Infographic by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
2011 — Minnesota Records an Astonishing Heat Index
On July 19, 2011, extremely humid air helped produce a state-record heat index of 134°F in Moorhead, Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the city also recorded an 88°F dew point, illustrating how humidity can make warm air feel dramatically hotter than the thermometer alone suggests.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Minnesota’s Worst Heat Wave on Record
1848 — The Seneca Falls Convention Begins
The first American women’s rights convention opened in Seneca Falls, New York, on July 19, 1848. Approximately 300 women and men attended the two-day gathering at Wesleyan Chapel, where participants discussed women’s civil, religious and social rights and helped launch a movement that would reshape American life.
Source: National Park Service — The First Women’s Rights Convention
1969 — Apollo 11 Reaches Lunar Orbit
After traveling for nearly three days, Apollo 11 flew behind the Moon on July 19, 1969, and temporarily lost radio contact with Earth. The crew fired the spacecraft’s engine while out of sight, successfully entering lunar orbit and preparing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for their historic landing the following day.
Source: NASA — Apollo 11 Mission Overview
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — Hastings, Minnesota Point Forecast — Accessed July 18, 2026, at 11:20 p.m. CT.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency — July 18–20 Wildfire-Smoke Air Quality Alert — Accessed July 18, 2026, at 11:20 p.m. CT.
History sources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Minnesota’s Worst Heat Wave on Record — Accessed July 18, 2026, at 11:20 p.m. CT.
National Park Service — The First Women’s Rights Convention — Accessed July 18, 2026, at 11:20 p.m. CT.
NASA — Apollo 11 Mission Overview — Accessed July 18, 2026, at 11:20 p.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with summer storms, so readers should check official alerts and radar before heading out.
Check on your outdoor Sunday plans as the air quality changes, and check the radar again before bed.
