Hyperlocal rainfall totals + real-time NOAA forecasts
Accurate weather without the clutter
Salem, OR Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Salem, OR?
Salem, OR gets 40.1 in of precipitation a year over about 148 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 83°F) and January the coldest (average low 35°F).
Mediterranean climate
Salem, OR has warm summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 47°F in December to 83°F in August. December is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 35° | 49° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 41° | 62° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 53° | 80° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 44° | 65° |
How much rain does Salem get?
Salem gets 40.1 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 148 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 93% of the US.
December is the wettest month, with 7.0 in. July is the driest, with 0.3 in. December has the most rainy days, about 19.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 70 days, to August 28, 2023.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Salem got 37.4 in of rain, against a normal of 40.1 in for those months. December 2025 had the most, with 7.4 in.
See where Salem ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Oregon.
Does it snow in Salem?
The snowiest winter on record is 1992–93, with 32.0 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on February 13, 1995.
See where Salem ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Salem weather by month
Salem weather in January
In January, Salem averages a high of 48°F and a low of 35°F. It gets 6.1 in of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 18% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 66°F (2024) and the record low is 6°F (1974).
Salem weather in February
In February, Salem averages a high of 52°F and a low of 36°F. It gets 4.5 in of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 29% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 71°F (1991) and the record low is -1°F (1989).
Salem weather in March
In March, Salem averages a high of 56°F and a low of 38°F. It gets 4.3 in of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 31% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 77°F (2019) and the record low is 12°F (1971).
Salem weather in April
In April, Salem averages a high of 61°F and a low of 41°F. It gets 3.1 in of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 36% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 91°F (2023) and the record low is 26°F (1970).
Salem weather in May
In May, Salem averages a high of 69°F and a low of 46°F. It gets 2.3 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 100°F (1983) and the record low is 28°F (1985). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salem weather in June
In June, Salem averages a high of 74°F and a low of 50°F. It gets 1.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 117°F (2021) and the record low is 32°F (1976). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salem weather in July
In July, Salem averages a high of 83°F and a low of 55°F. It gets 0.3 in of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 79% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 107°F (2009) and the record low is 38°F (1988).
Salem weather in August
In August, Salem averages a high of 83°F and a low of 54°F. It gets 0.4 in of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 70% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 108°F (1981) and the record low is 36°F (1980).
Salem weather in September
In September, Salem averages a high of 77°F and a low of 50°F. It gets 1.5 in of precipitation over about 6 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 56% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 104°F (1988) and the record low is 26°F (1972). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salem weather in October
In October, Salem averages a high of 65°F and a low of 43°F. It gets 3.5 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 93°F (1970) and the record low is 20°F (2002). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salem weather in November
In November, Salem averages a high of 53°F and a low of 39°F. It gets 6.0 in of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 74°F (2010) and the record low is 11°F (1985).
Salem weather in December
In December, Salem averages a high of 47°F and a low of 35°F. It gets 7.0 in of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 68°F (1993) and the record low is -12°F (1972).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Salem
July is the sunniest month in Salem, with estimated sunshine of 79% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 18%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 42% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Salem is cloudier than 79% of the US.
Humidity peaks in December at 86% and is lowest in July at 48%.
Wind averages 6 mph over the year, and March is the windiest month at 7 mph.
Salem has about 19 days a year above 90°F. Salem is cooler than 62% of the US.
Thunderstorms occur on about 5 days a year.
See where Salem ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Salem
The first fall freeze in Salem typically comes around October 25, and the last spring freeze around April 22. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 186 days.
Salem weather records
These records cover SALEM AP (MCNARY FIELD) during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Salem station is 117°F, on June 28, 2021. The coldest is -12°F, on December 8, 1972.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 3.1 in of precipitation, on January 20, 1972.
40 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.7°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Salem
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.
Winter (December–February) is chilly, with average highs around 49°F and lows near 35°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 62°F and lows near 41°F.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 80°F and lows near 53°F.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 65°F and lows near 44°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Wind | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 48° | 6.1 in | 18 | 7 mph | 83% | 18% | 66° | 6° |
| February | 36° | 52° | 4.5 in | 16 | 7 mph | 79% | 29% | 71° | -1° |
| March | 38° | 56° | 4.3 in | 18 | 7 mph | 76% | 31% | 77° | 12° |
| April | 41° | 61° | 3.1 in | 16 | 7 mph | 67% | 36% | 91° | 26° |
| May | 46° | 69° | 2.3 in | 12 | 6 mph | 64% | 39% | 100° | 28° |
| June | 50° | 74° | 1.3 in | 8 | 6 mph | 57% | 53% | 117° | 32° |
| July | 55° | 83° | 0.25 in | 2 | 6 mph | 48% | 79% | 107° | 38° |
| August | 54° | 83° | 0.39 in | 3 | 6 mph | 51% | 70% | 108° | 36° |
| September | 50° | 77° | 1.5 in | 6 | 5 mph | 58% | 56% | 104° | 26° |
| October | 43° | 65° | 3.5 in | 13 | 6 mph | 72% | 46% | 93° | 20° |
| November | 39° | 53° | 6.0 in | 18 | 7 mph | 82% | 28% | 74° | 11° |
| December | 35° | 47° | 7.0 in | 19 | 7 mph | 86% | 22% | 68° | -12° |
Station: SALEM AP (MCNARY FIELD), 5 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Salem climate questions
How much rain does Salem get?
Salem gets 40.1 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 148 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Salem?
December is the wettest month in Salem, with 7.0 in. July is the driest, with 0.3 in.
How many rainy days does Salem have a year?
Salem has about 148 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 19.
What is the hottest month in Salem?
July is the warmest month in Salem, with an average high of 83°F.
What is the coldest month in Salem?
January is the coldest month in Salem, with an average low of 35°F.
What is the record high temperature in Salem?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Salem station is 117°F, set on June 28, 2021. The record low is -12°F, on December 8, 1972.
What is the sunniest month in Salem?
July is the sunniest month in Salem, with estimated sunshine of 79% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Salem?
The first fall freeze in Salem typically comes around October 25. The last spring freeze is around April 22.
What is the best time to visit Salem?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.