Salem, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, Livingston 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 dangerous heat on 80 days in the Livingston forecast zone and Livingston County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and flooding (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 80 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Apr 2026 | Jan 29, 2008 · $175,000 damage |
| Flooding | 48 | Feb 2025 | May 1, 2011 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2021 | May 3, 2010 · $260,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | Feb 20, 2025 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2025 | Jan 26, 2009 · $11 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2023 | Sep 14, 2008 · $8.4 million 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 Livingston forecast zone and Livingston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Salem get?
A normal year brings about 3.8 inches of snow to Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Smithland L&D weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 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 KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 32 miles west-southwest. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 32 mi west-southwest | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 64 mi southeast | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 74 mi north-northeast | 6,200 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 81 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF4 on December 10, 2021, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town and caused 57 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 142 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 4, 2012.
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, KY?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 32 miles west-southwest. KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY) is 64 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 KPAH is about 2,000 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
- Marion, KY radar 10 mi
- Eddyville, KY radar 16 mi
- Calvert City, KY radar 17 mi
- Princeton, KY radar 22 mi
- Sturgis, KY radar 24 mi
- Paducah, KY radar 26 mi
- Clay, KY radar 27 mi
- Providence, KY radar 28 mi
- Benton, KY radar 30 mi
- Dawson Springs, KY radar 31 mi