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Weather & Climate in West Salem, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 76°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 48.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 514 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 54.2°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 514 ft (157 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 493/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5201°N, 88.0093°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Edwards County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lawrenceville-Vincennes International (LWV) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 26.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 84.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
68 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 13 km | 14 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 14 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 62 km | 16 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 14 km | 18 km |
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 50 km | 0 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 14 km | 12 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 14 km | 13 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 84 km | 7 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 12 km | 19 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 9 km NW of Vernon, Illinois | M3.4 | 107 km | 0 km |
| May 30, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois | M3.4 | 31 km | 26 km |
| Jun 5, 2008 | 8 km WNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois | M3.4 | 16 km | 16 km |
| May 1, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.3 | 15 km | 14 km |
| May 13, 2025 | 7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois | M3.3 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 5 km ENE of Woodlawn, Illinois | M3.2 | 86 km | 1 km |
| Jan 29, 1993 | 7 km WNW of Brownstown, Illinois | M3.2 | 105 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 10 km ENE of Thompsonville, Illinois | M3.2 | 84 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
497 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 683 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 46 km | 13.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 50 km | 106.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 53 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 40 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1989 | EF4 | 20 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 97 km | 16.8 mi | 1 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | EF3 | 67 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 43 km | 40.9 mi | 6 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 44 km | 44.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 91 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF3 | 100 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 79 km | 41.3 mi | 24 |
| Apr 21, 2002 | EF3 | 66 km | 31.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | EF3 | 77 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF3 | 85 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1989 | EF3 | 45 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1974 | EF3 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1974 | EF3 | 33 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF3 | 74 km | 23.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAVE HILL RX (999 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | CAVE HILL RX | 999 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.6 in |
West Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 29°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (2.5").