Salem, VA Tornado History — 16 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Salem, VA had?
Salem has had 16 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Salem?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Salem was an EF1 on May 26, 2024.
When is tornado season in Salem?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Salem, with 4 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Salem
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 6 total, averaging 0.3 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Salem been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Salem from any of the 16 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Salem
About Tornadoes in Salem
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Salem, Virginia, located in the Roanoke Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has experienced 16 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes can occur in any month, June has historically been the most active period for the area, with four recorded events. The majority of these tornadoes have been relatively weak, with ten rated EF1, four rated EF2, and two rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
The distribution of tornado activity has been fairly consistent across recent decades, with two events in the 1950s, two in the 1970s, one in the 1980s, and three each in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2020s. Two tornadoes occurred during the 2010s. Notably, no tornadoes within the search radius have resulted in fatalities since record-keeping began in 1950, though several have caused significant property damage.
The costliest tornado on record struck on March 31, 1987, an F1-rated storm that caused $2,750,000 in property damage despite a relatively short path of half a mile and a maximum width of just 50 yards. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on April 4, 1974, traveling 6.5 miles with a maximum width of 177 yards and causing $2,750,000 in damage. This F2 tornado was part of the historic Super Outbreak that affected much of the eastern United States. The widest tornado recorded near Salem was an F2 that touched down on May 17, 1953, reaching a maximum width of 880 yards across its one-mile path.
Most recently, an EF1 tornado struck on May 26, 2024, carving a two-mile path with a maximum width of 300 yards and causing $1,170,000 in property damage. Like all other tornadoes in the area's recorded history, this event resulted in no fatalities. The consistent pattern of relatively weak tornadoes without loss of life reflects both the typical intensity range for the region and the effectiveness of modern warning systems.