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Weather & Climate in Lake City, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 306 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 54.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. 91% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 194 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 67.2°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 194 ft (59 m) |
| Area | 12.4 sq mi (32.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 867/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.1886°N, 82.6422°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Columbia County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gainesville Regional (GNV) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 90.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 29.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very 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 | 104 km |
| 2024 | Milton | Category 2 | 81 mph | 266 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 80 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 81 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 2 | 75 mph | 285 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 283 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 230 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 1 | 75 mph | 225 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 127 mph | 187 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 131 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 2 | 86 mph | 251 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 177 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 268 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 273 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 294 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 252 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 191 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 167 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 209 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 1 | 81 mph | 256 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
354 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 123 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF3 | 80 km | 12.0 mi | 4 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF3 | 53 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1960 | EF3 | 2 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF2 | 84 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 2014 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF2 | 1 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 22 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 2005 | EF2 | 90 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | EF2 | 87 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | EF2 | 93 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2001 | EF2 | 41 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1998 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | EF2 | 90 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 5, 1988 | EF2 | 71 km | 8.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF2 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1986 | EF2 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 75 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | EF2 | 58 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 | 52 km |
| 2007 | BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE) | 215,381 | 89 km |
| 2017 | WEST MIMS | 166,737 | 61 km |
| 2011 | HONEY PRAIRIE | 147,065 | 65 km |
| 2011 | CRAVENS HAMMOCK | 142,688 | 75 km |
| 2002 | BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX | 107,076 | 63 km |
| 1999 | FRIENDLY | 75,089 | 47 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 59,179 | 50 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY LINE | 35,440 | 40 km |
| 2004 | IMPASSABLE ONE | 29,836 | 36 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 25,845 | 72 km |
| 1998 | OAK | 21,478 | 20 km |
| 1990 | SHORTS | 21,413 | 61 km |
| 2011 | DURDIN PRAIRIE | 19,487 | 86 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 18,577 | 21 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 16,594 | 58 km |
| 1989 | PIN HOOK | 16,471 | 41 km |
| 1999 | HICKORY IS | 14,656 | 82 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 14,543 | 31 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,873 | 39 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 62°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 67°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 6.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.9 in | |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 7.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 62°F (16°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in |
Lake City has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 52°F in January to 81°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 53.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.6") and November the driest (2.4").