All Countries
Weather & Climate in Salem, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 52.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 26 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.3°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 259 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 18.3 sq mi (47.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,337/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4992°N, 70.8982°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Essex County County |
| Nearest Airport | Beverly Regional (BVY) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
33 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 124 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 68 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 94 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 39 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 60 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 39 km | 2 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 81 km | 25 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 150 km | 8 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 111 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 73 km | 0 km |
| Mar 9, 2020 | 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine | M2.7 | 123 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 275 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 35 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 170 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
144 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 105 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 29 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 81 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 53 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF2 | 96 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 15 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 80 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 96 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1972 | EF2 | 47 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1970 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1968 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1967 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1966 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1965 | EF2 | 42 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1963 | EF2 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.0 in | |
| February | 29°F (-1°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 3.9 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 29°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.1") and July the driest (3.1").