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Weather & Climate in Salem, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 291 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 27.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,521 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,521 ft (464 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 961/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.7228°N, 97.3893°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McCook County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 109 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
599 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 260 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 89 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 69 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 24 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 38 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 20 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 63 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 83 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 88 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 82 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 12 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 46 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 38 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 15 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 72 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 41 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 53 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1978 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 48 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 91 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 62°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.6 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").