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Weather & Climate in Gainesville, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gainesville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 52.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 1,237 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,237 ft (377 m) |
| Area | 33.9 sq mi (87.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,303/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.2901°N, 83.8291°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hall County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 27.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
84 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 140 km | 25 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 116 km | 3 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 133 km | 20 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 96 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 148 km | 25 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 106 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 138 km | 8 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 133 km | 25 km |
| Jan 21, 2022 | 16 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M2.9 | 111 km | 15 km |
| Jul 28, 1990 | 3 km WNW of Varnell, Georgia | M2.9 | 129 km | 14 km |
| May 29, 1991 | 5 km N of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M2.9 | 132 km | 22 km |
| May 19, 1997 | 9 km NNW of Trion, Georgia | M2.9 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Dec 10, 2013 | 11 km SSE of Wildwood Lake, Tennessee | M2.8 | 119 km | 8 km |
| Mar 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Linwood, Georgia | M2.8 | 147 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 244 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 254 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
422 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 45 fatalities, 1,144 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 88 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 47 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 77 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 43 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 95 km | 23.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 12 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 43 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 36 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 59 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 90 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 33 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 29, 1991 | EF3 | 91 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 42 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1975 | EF3 | 87 km | 14.8 mi | 3 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 4 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 50 km | 18.7 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1972 | EF3 | 87 km | 6.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 33 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 98 km |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 83 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 88 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,084 | 79 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 47 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 96 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 92 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 82 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 89 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 43 km |
| 2010 | BRAMLETT RIDGE | 2,200 | 65 km |
| 2023 | BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 | 2,172 | 65 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,133 | 65 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,087 | 93 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 53 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,998 | 53 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,911 | 65 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,855 | 92 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,803 | 59 km |
| 2023 | SLICK SHOALS RX FY23 | 1,760 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 5.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | Driest |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 4.6 in |
Gainesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and September the driest (4.0").