Weather & Climate in Gainesville, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gainesville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 187 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 69.3°F |
| 28% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
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
Air Quality
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 | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 58°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| March | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 69°F (20°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 7.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 in | |
| October | 71°F (22°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 1.8 in | Driest |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in |
Gainesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 55°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (7.6") and November the driest (1.8").