Tuesday's forecast: Rain in the middle

Both the West and East coasts will be mainly dry and clear on Tuesday, while the nation's stormiest weather will be in the central U.S. Snow is likely in western portions of the Dakotas on Tuesday, with some spots forecast to see up to a foot. Elsewhere, the entire Mississippi Valley from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast should see rain and the chance of thunderstorms. Texas will also be stormy, with heavy rain that could lead to flooding in some areas.

Most of the rest of the country, including both coasts, will enjoy average to above-average temperatures in the 60s, 70s and 80s. The northern Rockies will see clear skies but very cold temperatures, with highs only in the 30s.

Weather history for Oct. 14: In 1880, a powerful early season blizzard blasted the north-central U.S. Winds gusted to 70 mph in Yankton S.D., and snow drifts 10 to 15 feet high were reported in Iowa and South Dakota. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel hit the coast of the Carolinas. The hurricane demolished every pier along a 170-mile stretch from Myrtle Beach, S.C., to Cedar Island, N.C., and obliterated entire lines of beach homes.

In 1966, the worst late-season tornado on record hit Iowa: In just one minute, a twister tore through the town of Belmond, leveling 75 percent of the businesses and 100 homes.