An original HastingsNow.com photo of the Hastings Bridge anchors this AI-assisted illustration of three October 29th moments. The historical scenes are artistic interpretations.
After Wednesday's stormy weather, Hastings has a welcome change ahead: a chilly, possibly foggy Thursday morning followed by sunshine and a crisp autumn afternoon. It looks like a good day to get outside once the fog lifts.
Today's Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: Near 56°F Thursday, falling to around 36°F Thursday night.
Morning conditions: Patchy fog before 9 a.m., followed by sunshine.
Rain chance: The National Weather Service hourly forecast shows 0% precipitation potential throughout Thursday's daytime hours.
Wind: Northwest at 5–10 mph, becoming calm Thursday night.
Thursday morning starts chilly, with temperatures in the lower 40s around the morning commute. Patchy fog could temporarily affect visibility, particularly along low-lying roads and near the river. The National Weather Service expects the fog to clear before 9 a.m.
By late morning, sunshine takes over. Temperatures gradually climb through the 40s and lower 50s, reaching an afternoon high near 56°F. A northwest breeze will keep things feeling like late October, but the dry forecast offers a pleasant opportunity for downtown errands, fall photographs or a walk through Levee Park.
Thursday evening turns cooler as temperatures fall after sunset. Skies should become partly cloudy overnight, with calm winds and a low around 36°F by early Friday morning. It will be worth having an extra layer handy if your plans extend into the evening.
A note about Wednesday's severe weather: As of Wednesday afternoon, October 28, a Tornado Watch remains in effect for Dakota County until 9 p.m. CDT. That watch is scheduled to expire before Thursday's forecast period and is separate from the calmer Thursday outlook.
What to wear or plan
Morning: Choose a warm jacket or sweater. Be prepared for patchy fog during early travel.
Afternoon: A comfortable fall layer should work for walking downtown or spending a little time along the Mississippi River.
Evening: Bring a warmer coat for outdoor activities as temperatures head toward the 30s.
Weather Joke of the Day
The morning fog offered to give tours of the Hastings bridge. Its entire presentation was, "I promise it's here somewhere!"
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1971 — A Minnesota-Born Star Arrives
On October 29, 1971, actress Winona Ryder was born in Minnesota, sharing her name with the Mississippi River city of Winona. From the wonderfully strange Beetlejuice to Edward Scissorhands, Little Women and Stranger Things, Ryder built a career spanning generations of moviegoers and television viewers. With Halloween just around the corner, it's a fitting day to remember one of Minnesota's best-known connections to the movies.
Source: Golden Globes — Winona Ryder
1929 — Black Tuesday Shakes Wall Street
On October 29, 1929, Wall Street suffered another devastating day of selling as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 12%, following a steep decline the day before. Known as Black Tuesday, the crash helped bring the Roaring Twenties' speculative stock-market boom to an end. The economic damage spread far beyond New York, and the event became one of the defining chapters in the history of the Great Depression.
Source: Federal Reserve History — Stock Market Crash of 1929
1969 — The Internet's Ancestor Says "Lo"
On October 29, 1969, programmer Charley Kline at UCLA attempted to send the word "login" to a computer at the Stanford Research Institute through the experimental ARPANET network. The receiving computer crashed after the first two letters, making "lo" the historic first host-to-host message. The problem was quickly fixed, but that tiny exchange helped open the door to the interconnected world we use today—including the ability to share local stories online.
Source: Computer History Museum — The First 50 Years of Living Online: ARPANET and Internet
How we know
Weather sources
National Weather Service — Hastings, Minnesota Point Forecast — Accessed October 28, 2026, at 4:52 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Tabular Hourly Forecast — Accessed October 28, 2026, at 4:52 p.m. CT.
National Weather Service — Hastings Watches, Warnings and Advisories — Accessed October 28, 2026, at 4:52 p.m. CT.
History sources
Golden Globes — Winona Ryder — Accessed October 28, 2026, at 4:52 p.m. CT.
Federal Reserve History — Stock Market Crash of 1929 — Accessed October 28, 2026, at 4:52 p.m. CT.
Computer History Museum — The First 50 Years of Living Online: ARPANET and Internet — Accessed October 28, 2026, at 4:52 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 Thursday's sunshine in Hastings, whether it's a short river walk or a few extra minutes outdoors.
