Salem, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, Dent 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 71 days in the Dent forecast zone and Dent County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in May and August. Next come flooding (43 days) and flash flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | May 2026 | May 8, 2009 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 43 | Mar 2026 | May 4, 2017 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Apr 2025 | Nov 5, 2024 · $15 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2017 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 4 | Mar 2025 | — |
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 Dent forecast zone and Dent 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 Salem weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually March (0.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 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 KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 87 miles north-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 87 mi north-northeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 106 mi west-southwest | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 157 mi east-southeast | 19,500 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 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on December 21, 1967, which passed about 22 miles east of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2025, which passed about 6 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 231 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on March 11, 2006.
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, MO?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 87 miles north-northeast. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 106 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 KLSX is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
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
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