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Weather & Climate in Salem, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 78°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 49.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 464 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.2°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 464 ft (141 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 920/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2647°N, 88.2412°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Livingston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Barkley Regional (PAH) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 27.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 36.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
212 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 136 km | 14 km |
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 122 km | 1 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 137 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 92 km | 16 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 85 km | 16 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 80 km | 3 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 135 km | 18 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 114 km | 8 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 132 km | 12 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 66 km | 7 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 136 km | 19 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 78 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 94 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 66 km | 16 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 146 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
534 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 64 fatalities, 1,090 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 60 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF4 | 63 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 70 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 98 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 71 km | 50.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 4, 1964 | EF4 | 66 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | EF3 | 81 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 23 km | 34.1 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 77 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 98 km | 44.1 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 73 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 55 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 68 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 59 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 26, 2011 | EF3 | 94 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF3 | 57 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 90 km | 18.1 mi | 3 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 50 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 68 km | 29.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DEVILS BACKBONE RX (3,215 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | DEVILS BACKBONE RX | 3,215 | 89 km |
| 2010 | FRANKLIN CREEK RX | 2,828 | 51 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 31 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,282 | 51 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 87 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,837 | 72 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 98 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 98 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 36 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 46 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 42 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 33 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 48 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 66 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 45 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 33 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 33 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 87 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.6 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 34°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.0").