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Weather & Climate in New Salem, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 293 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches. The area receives 15.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 787 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.8°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 787 ft (240 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 125/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7076°N, 90.8479°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Pike County County |
| Nearest Airport | Quincy Regional-Baldwin Field (UIN) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Feb 8, 2004 | 6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri | M2.9 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2022 | 1 km SSW of Peerless Park, Missouri | M2.8 | 135 km | 8 km |
| May 5, 2008 | 3 km SSE of Fenton, Missouri | M2.8 | 141 km | 19 km |
| Sep 5, 2015 | 5 km SE of High Ridge, Missouri | M2.7 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Sep 19, 2024 | 1 km S of Old Monroe, Missouri | M2.6 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Jan 15, 1998 | 1 km SSE of Fenton, Missouri | M2.5 | 139 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
452 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 306 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 13, 1995 | EF4 | 87 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1957 | EF4 | 98 km | 4.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 4, 2023 | EF3 | 82 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 90 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2006 | EF3 | 86 km | 44.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 76 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 88 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1995 | EF3 | 97 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1984 | EF3 | 85 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1983 | EF3 | 67 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | EF3 | 61 km | 8.8 mi | 1 |
| Jul 26, 1978 | EF3 | 92 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1977 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 83 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1973 | EF3 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 1964 | EF3 | 80 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1963 | EF3 | 87 km | 42.9 mi | 1 |
| May 14, 1961 | EF3 | 39 km | 127.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.5 in |
New Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 28°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (1.5").