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Weather & Climate in Salem, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 304 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 50.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 482 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.5°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 482 ft (147 m) |
| Area | 8.3 sq mi (21.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 42/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.7586°N, 84.1936°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Upson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Middle Georgia Regional (MCN) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Jan 18, 2000 | 11 km SSE of Gray, Georgia | M3.5 | 70 km | 19 km |
| Dec 7, 2009 | 4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia | M3.2 | 115 km | 7 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 106 km | 0 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.7 | 121 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2012 | 11 km NNE of Deepstep, Georgia | M2.7 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 1993 | 14 km E of Mount Zion, Georgia | M2.7 | 143 km | 0 km |
| May 3, 2011 | 6 km WNW of Mitchell, Georgia | M2.6 | 143 km | 28 km |
| Sep 12, 2022 | 13 km NE of Jackson, Georgia | M2.5 | 76 km | 1 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.5 | 121 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2015 | 0 km NNW of Crawfordville, Georgia | M2.5 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Aug 18, 1993 | 2 km NNW of Lakeview Estates, Georgia | M2.5 | 108 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 183 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 1 | — | 245 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 4 | 155 mph | 78 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 274 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 229 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 92 mph | 154 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
499 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 60 fatalities, 1,159 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 84 km | 32.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 30, 1953 | EF4 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 18 |
| Mar 26, 2023 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 53 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 60 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 34 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 17 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 58 km | 21.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 29 km | 30.8 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 25 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 99 km | 43.2 mi | 2 |
| Jan 2, 2006 | EF3 | 50 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1999 | EF3 | 82 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1989 | EF3 | 83 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1975 | EF3 | 34 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 23, 1971 | EF3 | 84 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1970 | EF3 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 25, 1964 | EF3 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 1961 | EF3 | 87 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,397 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 5,397 | 60 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 163 | 4,755 | 96 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,808 | 66 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 3,429 | 78 km |
| 2007 | 14A-14B-15A-16E-17E | 3,397 | 60 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,210 | 82 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,992 | 60 km |
| 2006 | 10 A 11 E 11 W RX BURN | 2,969 | 64 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,754 | 84 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,753 | 79 km |
| 1988 | COMP 10 | 2,588 | 63 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,574 | 80 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 2 | 2,505 | 57 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,501 | 67 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,487 | 84 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,433 | 70 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 120 | 2,412 | 67 km |
| 1999 | COMP 1312 | 2,401 | 63 km |
| 2018 | COMPARTMENT 4 5 6 7 8 | 2,386 | 58 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,294 | 64 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (2.5").