Salem, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, Dona Ana 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 flash flooding on 76 days in the Northern Dona Ana County forecast zone and Dona Ana County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and high winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 76 | Jun 2026 | Aug 15, 2006 · $4.5 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 2020 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jan 2017 | Sep 4, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 4 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Jan 2015 | — |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2023 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 2014 | — |
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 Northern Dona Ana County forecast zone and Dona Ana County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Salem?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEPZ (El Paso, TX), about 65 miles south-southeast. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 65 mi south-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 68 mi east-northeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 170 mi north | 22,300 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 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem. The strongest was an F0 on July 22, 1987, which passed about 4 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 15 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on May 20, 1991.
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, NM?
KEPZ (El Paso, TX), about 65 miles south-southeast. KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM) is 68 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Salem flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 76 days in the Northern Dona Ana County forecast zone and Dona Ana County. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
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
- Hatch, NM radar 4 mi
- Elephant Butte, NM radar 33 mi
- Las Cruces, NM radar 36 mi
- Truth or Consequences, NM radar 37 mi
- Mesilla, NM radar 38 mi
- Deming, NM radar 44 mi
- Hurley, NM radar 54 mi
- Bayard, NM radar 54 mi
- Santa Clara, NM radar 55 mi
- Anthony, NM radar 60 mi