Weather & Climate in Salem, MO
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 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,188 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 55.3°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,188 ft (362 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,343/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.6456°N, 91.5360°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Waynesville-St Robert Regional Forney Field (TBN) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
63 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jun 7, 2011 | 18 km NNW of Potosi, Missouri | M3.9 | 74 km | 21 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 107 km | 8 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 95 km | 0 km |
| Sep 22, 2011 | 6 km E of Grandin, Missouri | M3.6 | 115 km | 11 km |
| Aug 27, 1993 | 5 km SSE of Olympian Village, Missouri | M3.3 | 108 km | 22 km |
| Mar 12, 2002 | 6 km S of Marble Hill, Missouri | M3.1 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jan 21, 1992 | 5 km SE of Linn Creek, Missouri | M3.1 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 10 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.1 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Mar 18, 1990 | 9 km W of Alton, Missouri | M3.0 | 106 km | 1 km |
| Jun 27, 2025 | 12 km WSW of Grandin, Missouri | M2.9 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jul 8, 2003 | 1 km N of Leasburg, Missouri | M2.9 | 56 km | 4 km |
| May 21, 2012 | 6 km SW of Williamsville, Missouri | M2.9 | 115 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2006 | 9 km SSE of De Soto, Missouri | M2.9 | 100 km | 6 km |
| Apr 29, 2022 | 1 km SSW of Peerless Park, Missouri | M2.8 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Sep 27, 2022 | 0.4 km ESE of Maynard, Arkansas | M2.8 | 150 km | 11 km |
| Jul 31, 1995 | 8 km SSW of Caledonia, Missouri | M2.8 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 2008 | 12 km E of Williamsville, Missouri | M2.8 | 124 km | 6 km |
| May 5, 2008 | 3 km SSE of Fenton, Missouri | M2.8 | 136 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
312 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 35 fatalities, 395 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 24, 2002 | EF4 | 85 km | 40.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1969 | EF4 | 51 km | 20.2 mi | 2 |
| Jun 22, 1969 | EF4 | 87 km | 15.1 mi | 4 |
| Dec 21, 1967 | EF4 | 36 km | 27.9 mi | 3 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 84 km | 9.1 mi | 7 |
| Mar 25, 1954 | EF4 | 71 km | 12.1 mi | 2 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 73 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 99 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 58 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 40 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 92 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 54 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 52 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 41 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1984 | EF3 | 97 km | 26.0 mi | 1 |
| May 1, 1983 | EF3 | 96 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1979 | EF3 | 87 km | 35.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1966 | EF3 | 70 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1964 | EF3 | 80 km | 46.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF3 | 11 km | 10.2 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 | 94 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR BLUFF | 9,617 | 96 km |
| 2020 | BIG BARREN CREEK | 8,150 | 90 km |
| 2022 | STEGALL MOUNTAIN | 6,979 | 69 km |
| 2015 | 15 STEGAL MOUNTAIN | 5,112 | 70 km |
| 2021 | ROCK PILE | 5,067 | 93 km |
| 2011 | MINNINGHAW | 4,792 | 26 km |
| 2009 | STEGAL MTN. COMPLEX | 4,717 | 70 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,602 | 27 km |
| 2023 | ELM SPRINGS RX | 4,378 | 43 km |
| 2022 | SMITH MILL HOLLOW | 3,978 | 58 km |
| 2023 | CANNON RANGE RX | 3,870 | 62 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,665 | 50 km |
| 1999 | STEGALL99 | 3,415 | 70 km |
| 2021 | KAINTUCK | 3,325 | 40 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,252 | 29 km |
| 1988 | HANES 1 | 3,139 | 90 km |
| 2021 | COUNCIL BLUFF | 3,035 | 53 km |
| 2011 | MUD POND | 3,030 | 82 km |
| 2022 | LITTLE CREEK | 3,004 | 28 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.0 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (2.7").