Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Thursday, May 21st
AI image by HastingsNow.com
It’s a classic late-spring Hastings morning: a little cool, a little cloudy, and very much asking for “one more layer” before the sun gets organized. Around downtown, Levee Park, and the Mississippi riverfront, today looks like a gradual-improvement day.
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: High near 61°F; low around 46°F.
Precip chance + timing: Daytime rain chance: not provided. Tonight: 10% chance of showers after 5 a.m.
Wind: Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Alerts/hazards:(not provided)
This morning starts cloudy, then the sky should gradually clear as Thursday moves along. Afternoon plans look friendlier than early-morning plans, with a cool high near 61 and a light southeast breeze. Tonight turns partly cloudy, then cloudier late, with a tiny shower chance sneaking in close to Friday morning.
What to wear / what to plan
Grab a sweatshirt or light jacket for the morning.
Sunglasses may be worth keeping nearby for later.
A Levee Park walk or downtown errand should feel better after the clouds thin.
Late-night or early-Friday travelers can keep a rain jacket in the car, just in case.
Weather Joke of the Day
If the Hastings Bridge looks extra patient this morning, it’s just waiting for the clouds to finish their gradual clearing like the rest of us.
Infographic by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1858 — Hastings added another early piece of town. A transcribed 1882 county history says Truax’s addition to Vermillion was added to Hastings on May 21, 1858. It’s a small-sounding record, but it points to a big local idea: Hastings grew by claims, plats, additions, river trade, and practical optimism — one mapped-out piece at a time.
1881 — Clara Barton and associates established the American Red Cross. The Red Cross traces its founding to May 21, 1881; today, the organization remains tied to disaster relief, military family support, blood services, and emergency preparedness.
1932 — Amelia Earhart landed in Northern Ireland after a solo Atlantic flight. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum says Earhart left Newfoundland on May 20 and landed on May 21, becoming the first woman to make the solo, nonstop transatlantic flight.
How we know
National Weather Service — “Extended Forecast for Hastings MN.” The page lists current conditions near Hastings, the May 21 point forecast, and a forecast last update of 4:41 a.m. CDT May 21, 2026. Link: Accessed May 21, 2026, 5:32 a.m. CT.
Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia — “This Day in Minnesota History.” Link: Accessed May 21, 2026, 5:32 a.m. CT.
American Red Cross — “Significant Dates in Red Cross History.” Link: Accessed May 21, 2026, 5:32 a.m. CT.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum — “Amelia Earhart.” Link: Accessed May 21, 2026, 5:32 a.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly in Dakota County, so check official National Weather Service alerts before making outdoor plans.
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