All Countries
Weather & Climate in New Salem, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°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 44.4 inches. The area receives 28.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,125 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,125 ft (343 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 795/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.9301°N, 79.8260°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Fayette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Arnold Palmer Regional (LBE) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 67.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 125 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M3.1 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 125 km | 4 km |
| Mar 30, 2024 | 2 km SSW of Maple Ridge, Ohio | M3.0 | 150 km | 6 km |
| May 9, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.9 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 1 km SE of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.8 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 147 km | 21 km |
| Sep 4, 2011 | 3 km N of Saint Marys, West Virginia | M2.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 2024 | 4 km WNW of Claysville, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 58 km | 4 km |
| Aug 15, 2010 | 19 km ESE of Burnsville, West Virginia | M2.5 | 134 km | 17 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 19 km WNW of Helvetia, West Virginia | M2.5 | 136 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
221 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 411 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF4 | 53 km | 36.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 81 km | 11.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 67 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 45 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF3 | 54 km | 11.8 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 3, 1963 | EF3 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | EF2 | 54 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2024 | EF2 | 43 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2023 | EF2 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2022 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2021 | EF2 | 67 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 43 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF2 | 40 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 52 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 90 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 25 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1997 | EF2 | 62 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1990 | EF2 | 35 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BEAR DEN (945 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | BEAR DEN | 945 | 99 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 510 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in |
New Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.5").