Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Wednesday, April 1st
AI image by HastingsNow.com
Hastings gets a very April 1 kind of forecast today: mostly manageable through the daytime, then much messier after dark. It is the sort of day that says “enjoy the river view early” and “do not trust the sky tonight.”
Today’s Weather in Hastings
At a glance
High / Low: 48 / 30
Precip chance + timing window: 20% chance of rain after 3 p.m.; 100% chance of mixed precipitation tonight
Wind: East 5 to 15 mph today; around 15 mph tonight, with gusts up to 30 mph
Alerts/hazards: (not provided) in the source; forecast text does mention freezing rain, sleet, and possible ice accumulation overnight.
Expect a chilly start, with clouds increasing through the day and only a small chance of rain arriving late this afternoon. The bigger story comes tonight, when Hastings is forecast to shift into a sloppy mix of rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet. By early Thursday, the forecast calls for possible ice accumulation of around one to two tenths of an inch, plus a little snow and sleet, so roads, sidewalks, and driveways could turn slick in a hurry.
What to wear / what to plan
A real jacket beats a “maybe I’ll be fine” hoodie today.
Outdoor errands and river walks are smartest before late afternoon.
Keep boots, a scraper, and extra caution handy for early Thursday.
Evening plans should include a weather check before you head out.
Weather Joke of the Day
Hastings weather is pulling an April Fool’s special: Levee Park walk this afternoon, sleet audition tonight.
Weather infographic by HastingsNow.com
On This Date: A Little Time Capsule
1921 — Sister Carmela Hanggi, principal of Cathedral School in St. Paul, founded the School Safety Patrol in Minnesota. What began as a local school crossing effort grew into a model used far beyond the state.
1976 — Apple Computer, Inc. was founded on April 1 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. For a company born on prank day, it wound up helping define the very serious personal-computer era.
1960 — TIROS-1, the nation’s first weather satellite, launched on April 1. It only operated for 78 days, but it proved cloud cover and weather patterns could be tracked from space, helping change forecasting for good.
How we know
National Weather Service — Hastings, MN point forecast page; the weather details used here come from the NWS forecast text pasted into the brief and time-stamped 4:55 a.m. CDT. Accessed Apr. 1, 2026, about 5:13 a.m. CT.
Minnesota Historical Society / MNopedia — “This Day in Minnesota History.” Accessed Apr. 1, 2026, about 5:13 a.m. CT.
Library of Congress — “The Founding of Apple Computer, Inc.” Accessed Apr. 1, 2026, about 5:13 a.m. CT.
NASA — “TIROS, the Nation’s First Weather Satellite” and “Launch of TIROS 1, World’s 1st Weather Satellite.” Accessed Apr. 1, 2026, about 5:13 a.m. CT.
Weather can change quickly, especially with freezing rain in the forecast, so readers should check official National Weather Service alerts before traveling.
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