Salem, GA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Salem, Upson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Salem What TALON shows

What weather hits Salem?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Upson forecast zone and Upson County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (20 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (17 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	87	Mar 2026	May 2, 2003 · $250,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage	20	Apr 2017	Mar 31, 2005 · $250,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms	17	Oct 2020	Sep 11, 2017 · $250,000 damage
Flash flooding	14	Mar 2023	Jul 10, 2005 · $700,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill	13	Jan 2003	—
Flooding	13	Apr 2009	Jul 10, 2005 · $50,000 damage
Excessive heat	12	Jul 2012	—
Heavy snow & winter storms	8	Jan 2026	Jan 28, 2005 · $150,000 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 Upson forecast zone and Upson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Salem?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFFC (Atlanta, GA), about 47 miles north-northwest. 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
KFFC Atlanta, GA	47 mi north-northwest	3,300 ft	Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KJGX Robins AFB, GA	49 mi east	3,500 ft	Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMXX Maxwell AFB, AL	94 mi west	8,800 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on March 3, 2019, which passed about 10 miles west of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 114 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on October 4, 1979.

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, GA?

KFFC (Atlanta, GA), about 47 miles north-northwest. KJGX (Robins AFB, GA) is 49 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 KFFC is about 3,300 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.

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