Weather & Climate in Salem, VA

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

Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 305 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 49.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,024 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	51.2°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,024 ft (312 m)
Area	14.5 sq mi (37.7 km²)
Population Density	1,755/sq mi
Coordinates	37.2853°N, 80.0552°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Salem city County
Nearest Airport	Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.9"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 18.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.06"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	18.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	12.8 / 100
Community Resilience	78.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Oct 21, 1998	13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia	M3.8	144 km	13 km
Apr 22, 1991	14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M3.5	74 km	15 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	140 km	2 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	61 km	18 km
Dec 4, 2001	9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia	M3.1	79 km	9 km
May 16, 2009	2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia	M3.0	6 km	13 km
May 6, 2025	8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia	M3.0	142 km	8 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	70 km	9 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	64 km	0 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	68 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	70 km	4 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	87 km	0 km
Aug 18, 2000	2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia	M2.7	15 km	10 km
Nov 25, 2009	14 km S of Arrington, Virginia	M2.7	109 km	0 km
Aug 25, 2011	14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M2.7	72 km	13 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	141 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	147 km	2 km
Mar 4, 2019	13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia	M2.6	84 km	16 km
Mar 28, 2001	2 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.6	67 km	0 km
Nov 15, 1995	5 km ENE of Shady Spring, West Virginia	M2.6	100 km	33 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 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	219 km
1996	Fran	Category 2	75 mph	262 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).

Tornado History

104 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 93 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 19, 2019	EF3	50 km	8.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF3	72 km	20.4 mi	0
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	99 km	12.0 mi	2
Sep 27, 2024	EF2	81 km	6.9 mi	0
May 27, 2022	EF2	62 km	6.3 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	81 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 2011	EF2	71 km	1.9 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	25 km	3.0 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	64 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF2	58 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1996	EF2	44 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 1996	EF2	30 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 1994	EF2	69 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 22, 1990	EF2	53 km	5.0 mi	0
Aug 21, 1977	EF2	75 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1977	EF2	67 km	3.6 mi	0
Jul 11, 1976	EF2	57 km	4.1 mi	0
Apr 24, 1975	EF2	66 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF2	3 km	6.5 mi	0
Apr 12, 1965	EF2	93 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	RICH HOLE	15,923	75 km
2012	ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES	11,055	56 km
2023	MATTS CREEK	11,028	64 km
2016	MOUNT PLEASANT	11,001	92 km
2022	UNNAMED	7,791	77 km
2012	BARBOURS CREEK.	7,244	37 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,219	78 km
2008	ANGEL	4,129	11 km
2019	UNNAMED	3,569	96 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,518	35 km
2006	BULL MOUNTAIN	3,300	66 km
2002	MARBLEYARD	3,123	62 km
2008	LITTLE CUBA	3,017	21 km
2006	PEAVINE COMPLEX	2,950	73 km
2018	LOCKRIDGE RX	2,473	97 km
2010	PATTERSON MTN	2,443	37 km
2017	GOSHEN PASS	2,309	88 km
2010	NORTH SHORT MTN	2,304	81 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,114	97 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,048	81 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	2.8 in	Coldest, Driest
February	37°F (3°C)	3.0 in
March	45°F (7°C)	3.6 in
April	54°F (12°C)	3.5 in
May	62°F (17°C)	4.0 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.4 in
July	71°F (21°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.8 in	Warmest
September	66°F (19°C)	3.6 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.8 in
November	46°F (8°C)	3.2 in
December	38°F (3°C)	2.9 in

Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in January to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (2.8").

View full profile of Salem, VA →