Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gainesville has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (21°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 329 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 41.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 187 feet.
Temperature
58°F Jan (15°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
70.6°F
31% above US avg
January Average
58°F (15°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
329 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
187 ft (57 m)
Area
62.4 sq mi (161.6 km²)
Population Density
2,244/sq mi
Coordinates
29.6795°N, 82.3468°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Alachua County County
Nearest Airport
Gainesville Regional (GNV) 5 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.5"
9% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug)8.19"
Driest Month (Oct)2.28"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
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 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
133 km
2024
Milton
Category 3
121 mph
203 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
105 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
117 km
2022
Ian
Category 3
115 mph
235 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
256 km
2018
Michael
Category 4
155 mph
286 km
2017
Irma
Category 1
75 mph
165 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
127 mph
159 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
174 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
86 mph
128 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
190 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
257 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
234 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
246 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
248 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
172 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
231 km
1985
Bob
Category 1
75 mph
200 km
1984
Diana
Category 1
81 mph
244 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
445 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 18 fatalities, 207 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 2, 2007
EF3
93 km
16.2 mi
8
Feb 27, 1984
EF3
89 km
7.0 mi
0
Dec 31, 1975
EF3
69 km
2.0 mi
1
Feb 7, 1971
EF3
81 km
13.1 mi
0
Feb 25, 1960
EF3
64 km
0.8 mi
0
Oct 12, 2023
EF2
96 km
5.6 mi
0
Mar 7, 2008
EF2
64 km
1.5 mi
1
Apr 15, 2007
EF2
95 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
49 km
2.7 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
61 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
78 km
22.0 mi
0
Mar 13, 2001
EF2
99 km
3.5 mi
0
Sep 3, 1998
EF2
80 km
4.5 mi
0
Feb 2, 1996
EF2
93 km
6.0 mi
0
Apr 24, 1995
EF2
60 km
10.0 mi
0
Jan 7, 1995
EF2
79 km
12.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
55 km
1.0 mi
3
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
68 km
15.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1988
EF2
95 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 14, 1986
EF2
4 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: FRIENDLY (75,089 acres, 1999).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1999
FRIENDLY
75,089
96 km
2001
UNNAMED
59,179
74 km
2012
COUNTY LINE
35,440
93 km
2004
IMPASSABLE ONE
29,836
84 km
1998
OAK
21,478
73 km
2004
UNNAMED
18,577
75 km
1998
UNNAMED
16,594
89 km
1989
PIN HOOK
16,471
91 km
2014
UNNAMED
14,543
72 km
1998
UNNAMED
13,873
50 km
2007
UNNAMED
13,806
27 km
2006
JUNIPER
11,998
82 km
2011
IMPASSABLE BAY
11,889
82 km
2020
CPT 3 ALBERT/CPT 119 HANCOCK
10,724
84 km
2009
JUNIPER SPRINGS
8,363
81 km
2018
UNNAMED
8,334
71 km
1998
UNNAMED
7,345
98 km
1998
UNNAMED
7,078
17 km
2011
UNNAMED
6,941
84 km
2017
UNNAMED
6,926
76 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
58°F (15°C)
3.6 in
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
82°F (28°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
Coldest
Gainesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 56°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.2") and October the driest (2.3").