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Weather & Climate in Alachua, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alachua enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 319 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 86% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 159 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 69.5°F |
| 29% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 319 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 159 ft (48 m) |
| Area | 35.1 sq mi (91.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 294/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.7652°N, 82.4751°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Alachua County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gainesville Regional (GNV) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 86.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 119 km |
| 2024 | Milton | Category 3 | 121 mph | 218 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 91 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 102 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 250 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 268 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 270 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 1 | 75 mph | 176 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 4 | 127 mph | 172 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 158 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 3 | 121 mph | 202 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 2 | 104 mph | 271 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 144 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 235 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 258 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 241 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 167 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 216 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 207 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 1 | 81 mph | 252 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
416 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 179 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF3 | 74 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 1975 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 7, 1971 | EF3 | 91 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1960 | EF3 | 51 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 39 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | EF2 | 88 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | EF2 | 71 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2001 | EF2 | 84 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1998 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | EF2 | 95 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1995 | EF2 | 73 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1995 | EF2 | 92 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 80 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1986 | EF2 | 20 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 44 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | EF2 | 41 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (328,827 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX | 328,827 | 93 km |
| 2017 | WEST MIMS | 166,737 | 100 km |
| 1999 | FRIENDLY | 75,089 | 87 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 59,179 | 59 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY LINE | 35,440 | 83 km |
| 2004 | IMPASSABLE ONE | 29,836 | 74 km |
| 1998 | OAK | 21,478 | 62 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 18,577 | 64 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 16,594 | 84 km |
| 1989 | PIN HOOK | 16,471 | 81 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 14,543 | 63 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,873 | 45 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 13,806 | 35 km |
| 2006 | JUNIPER | 11,998 | 97 km |
| 2011 | IMPASSABLE BAY | 11,889 | 72 km |
| 2020 | CPT 3 ALBERT/CPT 119 HANCOCK | 10,724 | 74 km |
| 2009 | JUNIPER SPRINGS | 8,363 | 96 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 8,334 | 59 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 7,078 | 24 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 6,941 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 63°F (17°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 6.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 8.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 2.3 in | Driest |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 in |
Alachua has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 55°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.2") and October the driest (2.3").