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Weather & Climate in Salem, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°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 46.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 750 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 750 ft (229 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,536/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6046°N, 86.0975°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Washington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 40.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 36.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 0 km NW of Emison, Indiana | M3.1 | 120 km | 11 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 129 km | 34 km |
| Aug 15, 2001 | 5 km SSE of Spottsville, Kentucky | M2.7 | 144 km | 19 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 1 km NNW of Emison, Indiana | M2.7 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Mar 6, 2000 | 0 km E of Darmstadt, Indiana | M2.7 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 65 km | 4 km |
| Aug 26, 2000 | 6 km N of Boonville, Indiana | M2.6 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois | M2.6 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 36 km | 0 km |
| Aug 9, 2025 | 2 km ESE of Cynthiana, Indiana | M2.6 | 146 km | 19 km |
| Apr 18, 2012 | 13 km W of Owensboro, Kentucky | M2.5 | 139 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
542 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 59 fatalities, 1,355 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 82 km | 68.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 21 km | 45.1 mi | 11 |
| May 28, 1996 | EF4 | 59 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 89 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 42 km | 11.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 32 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 100 km | 37.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 74 km | 27.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 31 km | 35.6 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 54 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 67 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 94 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.7 mi | 3 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 37 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF3 | 52 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 50 km | 4.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 84 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 90 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | EF3 | 51 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | JPG 09 1 | 6,113 | 66 km |
| 2005 | RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 | 5,054 | 67 km |
| 2007 | UNITS 8-9 2008 | 4,316 | 65 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 19 06 WUI | 3,412 | 65 km |
| 2003 | WUI 3 03 | 3,372 | 70 km |
| 2010 | WUI UNIT 28K | 3,230 | 73 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,122 | 70 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 8 | 2,753 | 64 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 3 05 | 2,511 | 70 km |
| 2001 | 01 UNIT 16 | 2,361 | 68 km |
| 2011 | WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 | 2,215 | 64 km |
| 2004 | UNIT 19 | 2,004 | 63 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 03 | 1,971 | 65 km |
| 2008 | FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 | 1,942 | 67 km |
| 2000 | JPG 14 | 1,908 | 66 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 16 03 | 1,809 | 68 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 59 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 9 | 1,485 | 65 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,462 | 67 km |
| 2010 | TRACER | 1,408 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 44°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.7 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.0").