Salem, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, Richardson 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 63 days in the Richardson forecast zone and Richardson County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (57 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | May 2026 | Oct 30, 2024 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 57 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2025 | Oct 22, 1996 · $830,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 19 | Mar 2026 | Apr 18, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2026 | Jun 15, 2009 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | 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 Richardson forecast zone and Richardson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Salem get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Salem 5Sw weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.6 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 8.6 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 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 KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 79 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 79 mi south-southwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 92 mi north-northwest | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 117 mi southeast | 12,300 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 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on April 28, 1963, which passed about 22 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles west of town.
Hail: 419 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 60 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 12, 2023.
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, NE?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 79 miles south-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 92 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 KTWX is about 6,800 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
- Falls City, NE radar 7 mi
- Auburn, NE radar 22 mi
- Tecumseh, NE radar 32 mi
- Nebraska City, NE radar 42 mi
- Syracuse, NE radar 47 mi
- Wymore, NE radar 50 mi
- Beatrice, NE radar 55 mi
- Bennet, NE radar 58 mi
- Weeping Water, NE radar 59 mi
- Hickman, NE radar 61 mi