Lower Salem, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lower Salem, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lower Salem?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 105 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Lower Salem, mostly in April and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (96 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 105 | May 2026 | Apr 3, 2024 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2015 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Apr 2026 | Jun 27, 1998 · 1 death · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 30 | Feb 2026 | Jan 6, 2014 · $115,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 19 | Jun 2018 | Jun 19, 2018 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 13 | Apr 2023 | Dec 11, 2000 · $75,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2017 | Jun 4, 2002 · $100,000 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lower Salem get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Lower Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Marietta Wwtp weather station 11 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.1 | 7.2 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 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 Lower Salem?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 88 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 Lower Salem | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 88 mi south-southwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 91 mi northeast | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 130 mi west | 14,400 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 Lower Salem
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lower Salem, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 27, 1998, which touched down about 16 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 9, 2024, which passed about 20 miles south of town.
Hail: 134 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on February 27, 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 Lower 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.
Lower Salem radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lower Salem, OH?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 88 miles south-southwest. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lower Salem?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lower Salem the lowest scan from KRLX is about 8,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lower 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 Lower Salem, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Beverly, OH radar 13 mi
- Caldwell, OH radar 14 mi
- Woodsfield, OH radar 20 mi
- Belpre, OH radar 22 mi
- McConnelsville, OH radar 25 mi
- Byesville, OH radar 29 mi
- Barnesville, OH radar 32 mi
- Cambridge, OH radar 33 mi
- New Concord, OH radar 35 mi