Wednesday's forecast: Coldest weather so far

Wednesday will be a chilly day across most of the north-central and northeastern U.S., with highs mainly in the 40s and 50s.

Light snow and rain is forecast in the northern Plains. Most of the snow should be on the light side and will fall in eastern portions of the Dakotas and western Minnesota. Farther east, a damp and cool day is expected for much of the Great Lakes states, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with occasional showers likely. A few snowflakes are also possible in northern Michigan.

The one other part of the country that will be wet is Florida. A front sagging across the state will bring scattered thunderstorms, though temperatures will stay in the warm 80s.

Fantastic weather is expected throughout the West Coast, Southwest, and southern Plains, with clear skies and mild temperatures.

Weather history for Oct. 23:

In 1843, a foot of snow fell in Newbury, Vt. In 1873, a powerful coastal storm lashed the East Coast, with winds recorded as high as 100 mph at Wilmington, Del. In 2002, Griggs, Okla., was hit with a hailstorm. Hail covered the ground 3-4 inches deep.

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