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Weather & Climate in Salem, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 275 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 34.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,064 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.1°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,064 ft (324 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 135/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.0769°N, 95.7285°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Richardson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Philip Billard Municipal (TOP) 70 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 28 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
583 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 222 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 67 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 73 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 78 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 62 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 60 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF3 | 98 km | 33.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 24 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 30 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 57 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 99 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 81 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 | EF3 | 94 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 80 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 | EF3 | 94 km | 38.3 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF3 | 87 km | 29.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF3 | 90 km | 23.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1964 | EF3 | 93 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OAKS (5,673 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 89 km |
| 2014 | SHANNON CREEK | 3,954 | 96 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 82 km |
| 2004 | KRAUSE | 3,012 | 86 km |
| 2020 | BOURBONAIS CREEK | 2,803 | 99 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 85 km |
| 2021 | 4 DELTA 21 | 1,708 | 81 km |
| 2011 | 182 | 1,575 | 78 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,107 | 98 km |
| 2018 | FY 18 182 ROAD BROADCAST BURN | 1,009 | 78 km |
| 2020 | MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI | 964 | 41 km |
| 2016 | SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX | 866 | 41 km |
| 1988 | NORTH POOL | 698 | 40 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 645 | 41 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 6 | 625 | 41 km |
| 2002 | SCRDGRS 6 | 536 | 41 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 29°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 26°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.8").