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Weather & Climate in Salem, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 301 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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,219 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.9°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,219 ft (372 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 474/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6997°N, 81.7003°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Burke County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 70.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 138 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 119 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 107 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 84 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 40 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 42 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 52 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 132 km | 16 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 62 km | 4 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 81 km | 3 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 106 km | 1 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 62 km | 6 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 39 km | 9 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 88 km | 11 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 83 km | 2 km |
| Mar 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina | M2.7 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 12 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 1 | 75 mph | 277 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 124 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
278 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 258 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 35 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 72 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 28 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 84 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 74 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 64 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 28 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 65 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 84 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 40 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 20 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 81 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 49 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 26 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 69 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2006 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2005 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2005 | EF2 | 50 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | BRUSHY RIDGE | 12,405 | 25 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 55 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 24 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 10 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 10 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 47 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 23 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 37 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 25 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 65 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,242 | 97 km |
| 2013 | LOST BEAR EAST | 2,167 | 46 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,026 | 87 km |
| 2008 | SUNRISE | 1,906 | 27 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 26 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,812 | 41 km |
| 2016 | RAILROAD GRADE 2016 | 1,790 | 69 km |
| 2013 | CALIFORNIA CREEK | 1,758 | 85 km |
| 2016 | TOMBSTONE | 1,747 | 17 km |
| 2017 | DOBSON KNOB | 1,720 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and December the driest (3.7").