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Weather & Climate in Salem, OR
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 40°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 239 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 46.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 174 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 52.9°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 239 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Area | 48.4 sq mi (125.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,610/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9239°N, 123.0230°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Portland International (PDX) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
192 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.
| Mar 25, 1993 | 4 km E of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M5.6 | 35 km | 20 km |
| Jul 12, 2004 | 30 km W of Yachats, Oregon | M4.9 | 133 km | 29 km |
| Aug 19, 2004 | 19 km W of Newport, Oregon | M4.7 | 105 km | 27 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2015 | 16 km ENE of Springfield, Oregon | M4.1 | 94 km | 8 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 114 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2003 | 3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon | M3.9 | 82 km | 17 km |
| Apr 15, 2017 | 43 km WNW of Yachats, Oregon | M3.9 | 137 km | 38 km |
| Feb 8, 1995 | 9 km ESE of Hubbard, Oregon | M3.8 | 34 km | 24 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 103 km | 14 km |
| Mar 20, 2012 | 29 km WNW of Yachats, Oregon | M3.7 | 128 km | 33 km |
| Jun 8, 1993 | 5 km ESE of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M3.7 | 36 km | 19 km |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 3 km ENE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 121 km | 6 km |
| Jul 3, 1992 | 57 km W of Waldport, Oregon | M3.6 | 146 km | 21 km |
| Feb 24, 1999 | 8 km WSW of Molalla, Oregon | M3.6 | 35 km | 34 km |
| May 19, 2019 | 3 km ESE of Rose Lodge, Oregon | M3.6 | 65 km | 44 km |
| Sep 8, 2012 | 8 km N of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M3.5 | 34 km | 24 km |
| Aug 2, 1996 | 4 km S of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M3.5 | 29 km | 29 km |
| Jul 22, 1991 | 8 km N of Bethany, Oregon | M3.5 | 80 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
59 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 302 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 81 km | 8.7 mi | 6 |
| Dec 14, 2010 | EF2 | 15 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1993 | EF2 | 40 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2017 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2013 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF1 | 88 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2003 | EF1 | 15 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1978 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1975 | EF1 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1960 | EF1 | 21 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF1 | 78 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 6, 1951 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2022 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2022 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
12 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Jefferson (100 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 100 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 106 km |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 116 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 118 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 129 km |
| Three Sisters | Complex | 3,159 m (10,364 ft) | 440 | 133 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 146 km |
| Bachelor | Stratovolcano | 2,763 m (9,065 ft) | -5800 | 149 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 156 km |
| Davis Lake | Volcanic field | 2,163 m (7,096 ft) | -2790 | 179 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 186 km |
| Newberry | Shield | 2,434 m (7,986 ft) | 690 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LIONSHEAD (197,732 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | LIONSHEAD | 197,732 | 95 km |
| 2020 | BEACHIE CREEK | 194,619 | 51 km |
| 2020 | HOLIDAY FARM | 174,390 | 95 km |
| 2020 | RIVERSIDE | 138,190 | 67 km |
| 2021 | BULL COMPLEX | 26,233 | 78 km |
| 2017 | WHITEWATER | 11,758 | 94 km |
| 2014 | 36 PIT | 5,838 | 72 km |
| 1987 | ROCKHOUSE | 5,011 | 37 km |
| 2011 | MOTHER LODE | 2,881 | 73 km |
| 2010 | BULL OF THE WOODS | 2,535 | 77 km |
| 2017 | SRZ LITTLE DEVIL | 2,304 | 89 km |
| 2020 | ECHO MTN COMPLEX | 2,161 | 72 km |
| 2023 | CAMP CREEK | 2,056 | 94 km |
| 2010 | PYRAMID | 1,611 | 98 km |
| 2020 | DOWTY RD | 1,424 | 68 km |
| 1991 | FALLS | 1,389 | 98 km |
| 1987 | 87552212 | 1,166 | 31 km |
| 1987 | 87791147 | 1,048 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 7.1 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 5.6 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 0.8 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 7.2 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 8.0 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 40°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (8.0") and July the driest (0.6").