Friday's forecast: Much-needed rain in Calif.; severe storms Plains
A large part of the U.S. will see some rain on Friday, including California, which will see some very welcome showers.
West: Much-needed rain will soak southern California. Showers are also likely in most of the rest of the West, with light snow expected in the highest elevations of the Sierra and Rockies.
East: The East Coast will be clear and mild on Friday. Temperatures will be pleasantly cool from New England to the Carolinas but very warm in Florida.
Central U.S.: Thunderstorms, some of them severe, will again slam much of the sodden Plains and Midwest on Friday. Flooding is possible in Texas. The states where severe weather is most likely are western Nebraska and Kansas.
Weather history for May 15: In 1968, Iowa's most destructive tornado of the 20th century hit Charles City, killing 13 and injuring hundreds. In 1991, Beckley, West Va., soared to a record high temperature of 85 degrees.