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Weather & Climate in Salem, WV
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 31°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 293 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 49.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,144 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.9°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,144 ft (349 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,352/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2849°N, 80.5645°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Doddridge County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Ohio Valley Regional (PKB) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 142 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 82 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 75 km | 8 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 94 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M3.1 | 107 km | 6 km |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio | M3.1 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 135 km | 7 km |
| May 9, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.9 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 85 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 58 km | 13 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 72 km | 10 km |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 1 km SE of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.8 | 107 km | 2 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 141 km | 17 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 52 km | 21 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 73 km | 0 km |
| Jun 6, 2014 | 13 km NNE of Sissonville, West Virginia | M2.6 | 114 km | 30 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
105 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 64 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 19 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 63 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2024 | EF2 | 77 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2022 | EF2 | 83 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2003 | EF2 | 94 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1998 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 94 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 1998 | EF2 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1990 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1981 | EF2 | 65 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | EF2 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 90 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1971 | EF2 | 83 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | EF2 | 31 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1968 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 26 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AUTHONYS CREEK (782 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | AUTHONYS CREEK | 782 | 90 km |
| 2015 | POPLAR RIDGE | 659 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.5 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 31°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (3.0").