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Weather & Climate in Salem, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 305 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 49.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 653 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.5°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 653 ft (199 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,132/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.3704°N, 91.8217°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Fulton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Sharp County Regional (CKK) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 1.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
290 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 132 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 77 km | 10 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 133 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 42 km | 8 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 96 km | 0 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 131 km | 6 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 141 km | 14 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 51 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 59 km | 18 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 134 km | 6 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 22, 2011 | 6 km E of Grandin, Missouri | M3.6 | 108 km | 11 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 132 km | 4 km |
| Jun 11, 2017 | 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas | M3.6 | 105 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 139 km | 29 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
379 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 91 fatalities, 1,119 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 78 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 28 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF4 | 42 km | 20.0 mi | 2 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 92 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 87 km | 9.1 mi | 7 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 80 km | 34.6 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 72 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 100 km | 47.4 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 58 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 38 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 78 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 88 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 99 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 96 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1996 | EF3 | 44 km | 46.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1985 | EF3 | 79 km | 34.0 mi | 3 |
| Oct 18, 1984 | EF3 | 52 km | 26.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 28 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HANDY (12,818 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | HANDY | 12,818 | 81 km |
| 2007 | DEAD HORSE | 10,389 | 64 km |
| 2004 | LOWER WILD | 10,034 | 64 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 9,641 | 81 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR BLUFF | 9,617 | 80 km |
| 2013 | LOWER WILDERNESS RX | 8,699 | 64 km |
| 2020 | BIG BARREN CREEK | 8,150 | 83 km |
| 2022 | STEGALL MOUNTAIN | 6,979 | 97 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 6,931 | 97 km |
| 2021 | SYL BIRMINGHAM | 6,803 | 56 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 6,686 | 94 km |
| 2010 | BRUSHY/CLAYTON | 6,401 | 97 km |
| 2020 | BIG CREEK | 6,399 | 94 km |
| 2015 | 15 STEGAL MOUNTAIN | 5,112 | 97 km |
| 2021 | ROCK PILE | 5,067 | 64 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,873 | 57 km |
| 2024 | BRIDGES RX | 4,781 | 83 km |
| 2009 | STEGAL MTN. COMPLEX | 4,717 | 97 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 49 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.1 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 35°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (2.6").