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Weather & Climate in Salem, SC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°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 56.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,080 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.6°F
12% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,080 ft (329 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density226/sq mi
Coordinates34.8879°N, 82.9752°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyPickens County County
Nearest AirportOconee County Regional (CEU)
16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.7"
49% above US avg
Snowfall 1.0"
Wettest Month (Mar) 6.14"
Driest Month (Apr) 4.37"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score77.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability41.0 / 100
Community Resilience45.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

100 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

May 10, 2025 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee M4.1 117 km 25 km
Feb 15, 2014 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina M4.1 144 km 5 km
Jul 5, 1995 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee M3.7 119 km 10 km
Mar 18, 2003 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia M3.5 134 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 72 km 1 km
Jan 3, 1992 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina M3.4 113 km 3 km
Apr 11, 2006 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee M3.3 147 km 20 km
Aug 31, 2009 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee M3.3 144 km 14 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 132 km 2 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 78 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 134 km 17 km
Aug 1, 2009 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee M3.2 122 km 5 km
May 10, 2006 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee M3.2 148 km 25 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 131 km 14 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 105 km 2 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 136 km 2 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 105 km 9 km
Nov 10, 1992 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 135 km 10 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 124 km 7 km
Sep 24, 1991 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 138 km 13 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
1989 Hugo Category 4 138 mph 173 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

325 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 430 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1989 EF4 98 km 15.0 mi 2
Mar 31, 1973 EF4 97 km 22.6 mi 7
Apr 13, 2020 EF3 32 km 16.7 mi 1
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 92 km 37.0 mi 1
Mar 27, 1994 EF3 46 km 28.0 mi 0
Nov 22, 1992 EF3 94 km 10.0 mi 1
Nov 15, 1989 EF3 64 km 8.0 mi 0
Apr 8, 1974 EF3 56 km 1.0 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 52 km 60.2 mi 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 67 km 22.7 mi 2
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 14 km 6.3 mi 0
May 3, 2021 EF2 83 km 29.4 mi 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 53 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 29 km 8.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 90 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 24 km 8.4 mi 0
Apr 10, 2009 EF2 90 km 6.7 mi 0
Apr 10, 2009 EF2 57 km 9.5 mi 0
Aug 26, 2008 EF2 37 km 5.5 mi 0
Aug 29, 2005 EF2 71 km 5.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2016 ROCK MOUNTAIN 25,224 51 km
2016 TELLICO 14,172 72 km
2016 BOTELER 8,626 67 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 93 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 30 km
2001 SHARP 6,039 81 km
2016 CAMP BRANCH 3,234 62 km
2023 PANTHER KNOB 3,170 60 km
1998 FOURNEY CREEK 2,579 84 km
2020 CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP 2,421 22 km
2021 UNNAMED 2,201 60 km
2010 BRAMLETT RIDGE 2,200 59 km
2023 BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 2,172 59 km
2018 UNNAMED 2,133 59 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,087 81 km
2023 TRAIL RIDGE FY23 2,085 76 km
2013 UNNAMED 1,998 76 km
2014 UNNAMED 1,911 59 km
2021 UNNAMED 1,855 81 km
2014 UNNAMED 1,803 53 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 42°F (5°C) 5.5 in Coldest
February 44°F (7°C) 5.1 in
March 51°F (11°C) 6.1 in Wettest
April 58°F (15°C) 4.4 in Driest
May 66°F (19°C) 5.2 in
June 73°F (23°C) 4.6 in
July 79°F (26°C) 5.0 in Warmest
August 76°F (24°C) 5.2 in
September 70°F (21°C) 4.5 in
October 60°F (16°C) 4.6 in
November 51°F (11°C) 4.7 in
December 44°F (7°C) 5.1 in

Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and April the driest (4.4").

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