Salem, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, Saline County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Salem?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 155 days in the Saline forecast zone and Saline County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in July and May. Next come flash flooding (56 days) and flooding (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 155 | Jun 2026 | Sep 5, 2014 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 56 | Apr 2025 | May 1, 2010 · 1 death · $30,000 damage |
| Flooding | 48 | Apr 2025 | May 1, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2026 | Dec 25, 2012 · 1 death · $10 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Sep 2012 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2019 | Aug 3, 1998 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2023 | Feb 4, 2014 · $300,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Nov 2012 | Jan 17, 2009 · $10,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Saline forecast zone and Saline County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Salem get?
A normal year brings about 1.3 inches of snow to Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Benton weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Salem?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 22 miles northeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Salem | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 22 mi northeast | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 112 mi west-northwest | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 160 mi east-northeast | 20,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Salem
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 141 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 58 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2014, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town and caused 16 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 620 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on January 21, 1999.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Salem's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Salem radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Salem, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 22 miles northeast. KSRX (Fort Smith, AR) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Salem?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Salem the lowest scan from KLZK is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Salem free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Salem, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Benton, AR radar 4 mi
- Bryant, AR radar 4 mi
- Alexander, AR radar 6 mi
- Shannon Hills, AR radar 9 mi
- Haskell, AR radar 10 mi
- Little Rock, AR radar 13 mi
- Maumelle, AR radar 18 mi
- Wrightsville, AR radar 19 mi
- North Little Rock, AR radar 21 mi
- Sheridan, AR radar 22 mi