Thursday's forecast: More heat West, heavy rain East

Thursday, the nation will be divided into western heat, central chill, and eastern rain.

West: Searing heat and dry weather will continue along the West Coast and in the Southwest, adding to the threat of wildfires. Temperatures will be in the 80s and 90s.

Central U.S.: A fall-like feel will spread over the Rockies, northern Plains and Great Lakes as temperatures only top out in the 50s and 60s in many spots. A few scattered afternoon thunderstorms are possible in the Rockies.

East: A very slow moving cold front will inch its way toward the eastern seaboard Thursday, dumping heavy rain from the eastern Great Lakes all the way south to Florida. The rain could lead to flash flooding in some areas.

Weather history for May 15: In 1992, snow and high winds pelted northern Montana. In 2001, St. Cloud, Minn., set a record high temperature of 97 degrees. In 2011, the temperature rose only to 53 degrees in Sacramento.

And, here's a look at some of our best reader weather photos. To submit yours, go to yourtake.usatoday.com