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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 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches. The area receives 7.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,188 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 259 days/yr |
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
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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 | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 2.3 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.3 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 30°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (2.0").