Salem, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salem, McCook 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 62 days in the McCook forecast zone and McCook County — the most common reported hazard around Salem, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 62 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2004 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Dec 2025 | Feb 24, 2007 · 1 death |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2026 | Feb 10, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 29 | Mar 2026 | Jan 17, 1996 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 19 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $41 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2024 | Sep 10, 2019 · $10,000 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 McCook forecast zone and McCook County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Salem get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Montrose weather station 10.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 0.1 |
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 KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 34 miles east-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 34 mi east-southeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 130 mi north-northwest | 14,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 174 mi south-southeast | 23,200 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 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salem, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 30, 1998, which passed about 3 miles southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 30, 2022, which touched down about 9 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 336 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 13, 1997.
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, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 34 miles east-southeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 130 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 KFSD is about 2,200 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
- Hartford, SD radar 24 mi
- Madison, SD radar 24 mi
- Parker, SD radar 26 mi
- Freeman, SD radar 26 mi
- Crooks, SD radar 29 mi
- Mitchell, SD radar 33 mi
- Baltic, SD radar 33 mi
- Tea, SD radar 34 mi
- Dell Rapids, SD radar 34 mi
- Sioux Falls, SD radar 35 mi