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Weather & Climate in South Salem, OH
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 924 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.5°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 924 ft (282 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 750/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3372°N, 83.3071°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Ross County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rickenbacker International (LCK) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 62.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 49.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 28 km | 10 km |
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 96 km | 8 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 100 km | 8 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 78 km | 26 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 77 km | 27 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 79 km | 0 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 11, 2015 | 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky | M2.6 | 86 km | 11 km |
| Jul 23, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky | M2.6 | 89 km | 4 km |
| Feb 11, 2015 | 8 km SE of Richmond Dale, Ohio | M2.6 | 53 km | 20 km |
| Mar 8, 2016 | 0 km N of Thurman, Ohio | M2.6 | 89 km | 20 km |
| Jan 28, 2024 | 3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky | M2.5 | 94 km | 15 km |
| Mar 27, 2013 | 3 km W of Apple Grove, West Virginia | M2.5 | 120 km | 15 km |
| Feb 17, 2023 | 6 km ESE of Cheshire, Ohio | M2.5 | 119 km | 16 km |
| Mar 20, 2023 | 13 km SSW of Rio Grande, Ohio | M2.5 | 101 km | 6 km |
| Jan 26, 2018 | 7 km NNW of Vincent, Ohio | M2.5 | 137 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
434 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,729 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 72 km | 31.3 mi | 36 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF5 | 83 km | 34.0 mi | 7 |
| Sep 20, 2000 | EF4 | 67 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | EF4 | 92 km | 10.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 87 km | 24.1 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 84 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 2014 | EF3 | 60 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 87 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1999 | EF3 | 41 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 93 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1993 | EF3 | 31 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 63 km | 15.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 77 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1970 | EF3 | 45 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1969 | EF3 | 80 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1965 | EF3 | 23 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 59 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 10, 1959 | EF3 | 44 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,259 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,259 | 71 km |
| 2022 | 127 | 1,349 | 88 km |
| 2003 | PEACH ORCHARD | 1,043 | 66 km |
| 2021 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 1-12 | 1,037 | 98 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 11-19 | 936 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 2.9 in |
South Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 30°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.4").