Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
AI image by HastingsNow.com
Thursday brings another hot summer day to Hastings, with plenty of sun filtered at times by wildfire smoke. The temperature will be a little lower than Wednesday, but the combination of heat and unhealthy air still deserves careful planning.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: Near 91°F Thursday and around 71°F Thursday night
Feels like: Heat-index values as high as 96°F
Smoke: Patchy smoke through much of the day and again overnight
Wind: Calm early, becoming south-southeast around 5 mph
Active alerts: Extreme Heat Warning through 9 p.m. Friday and Air Quality Alert through 11 a.m. Friday
Thursday morning should be mostly sunny, warm and smoky. Dense wildfire smoke is expected to move south of the Interstate 94 corridor overnight, and air quality around Hastings could reach the Red, or Unhealthy, category.
The afternoon stays mostly sunny with a high near 91°F. The heat index may reach about 96°F, while a light south-southeast breeze develops. The National Weather Service forecast does not call for rain during the daytime period, but patchy smoke may continue until late afternoon.
Thursday evening remains warm, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 71°F. Patchy smoke is forecast before about 1 a.m. and may return after about 3 a.m., so outdoor evening plans may still come with haze and reduced air quality.
What to wear or plan
Choose lightweight clothing and keep water nearby.
Build in shade or air-conditioned breaks during outdoor work and errands.
Limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, especially for children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions.
Keep windows closed overnight if smoke becomes noticeable.
Weather Joke of the Day
Thursday will be so hot in Hastings that the Mississippi River is being promoted from local scenery to emotional-support water.
AI image by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1857 — Dodge County’s First Newspaper Hits the Press
After working through the night, editor John Earle Bancroft and his staff published the first issue of the Mantorville Express on July 16, 1857. The paper became Dodge County’s first newspaper and covered local development, Minnesota statehood and major national events across a remarkably well-preserved run.
Source: Minnesota Historical Society — Mantorville Express
1790 — The Nation Chooses a Permanent Capital
The Residence Act was signed into law on July 16, 1790, directing the president to select a permanent national capital along the Potomac River after a temporary decade in Philadelphia. The decision eventually produced Washington, D.C., with Pierre Charles L’Enfant developing the influential plan for the new federal city.
Source: Library of Congress — Today in History: July 16
1969 — Apollo 11 Begins Its Journey to the Moon
Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Four days later, Armstrong and Aldrin became the first people to walk on the Moon while Collins remained in lunar orbit, completing one of history’s most ambitious voyages.
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — 7-Day Forecast for Hastings, Minnesota — Accessed July 15, 2026, at 8:12 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Hastings — Accessed July 15, 2026, at 8:12 p.m. CT.
History sources
Minnesota Historical Society — Mantorville Express — Accessed July 15, 2026, at 8:12 p.m. CT.
Library of Congress — Today in History: July 16 — Accessed July 15, 2026, at 8:12 p.m. CT.
NASA — Apollo 11 Mission Overview — Accessed July 15, 2026, at 8:12 p.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with summer storms, so readers should check official alerts and radar before heading out.
Check on a Hastings neighbor who may need help staying cool.
