Salem, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, Burke 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 198 days in the Greater Burke forecast zone and Burke County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (42 days) and flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 198 | Jun 2026 | Jun 10, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Sep 2024 | Sep 26, 2024 · $40 million damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Jul 2025 | Jul 23, 2012 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2018 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2019 | — |
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 Greater Burke forecast zone and Burke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Salem get?
A normal year brings about 4.5 inches of snow to Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Morganton weather station 2.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (1.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 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 KGSP (Greer, SC), about 64 miles south-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 64 mi south-southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 101 mi west-northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 121 mi northeast | 12,900 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 52 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 14 miles east-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 19 miles south of town.
Hail: 308 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 2000.
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, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 64 miles south-southwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 101 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 KGSP is about 5,000 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
- Morganton, NC radar 3 mi
- Glen Alpine, NC radar 5 mi
- Drexel, NC radar 6 mi
- Valdese, NC radar 8 mi
- Rutherford College, NC radar 10 mi
- Connelly Springs, NC radar 12 mi
- Gamewell, NC radar 13 mi
- Cajah's Mountain, NC radar 14 mi
- Sawmills, NC radar 15 mi
- Hildebran, NC radar 16 mi