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Weather & Climate in Lakeland, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lakeland enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°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 48.2 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 197 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.9°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 197 ft (60 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 949/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.0408°N, 83.0747°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lanier County County |
| Nearest Airport | Valdosta Regional (VLD) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.5.
| Mar 4, 1996 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 147 km | 1 km |
| May 17, 1997 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 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 | 36 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 131 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 31 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 141 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 121 mph | 236 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 121 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 242 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 272 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 81 mph | 294 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 259 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 65 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 245 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 1 | 75 mph | 300 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
379 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 21 fatalities, 257 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jan 22, 2017 | EF3 | 49 km | 24.7 mi | 11 |
| Mar 3, 2012 | EF3 | 17 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2009 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF3 | 74 km | 12.0 mi | 4 |
| Nov 18, 1968 | EF3 | 75 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1968 | EF3 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 90 km | 14.7 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 1952 | EF3 | 40 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF2 | 32 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 22, 2023 | EF2 | 37 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2022 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2021 | EF2 | 46 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2020 | EF2 | 98 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 2019 | EF2 | 68 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 22, 2017 | EF2 | 88 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 2014 | EF2 | 32 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2009 | EF2 | 95 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | EF2 | 99 km | 10.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.6 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 | 84 km |
| 2007 | BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE) | 215,381 | 74 km |
| 2017 | WEST MIMS | 166,737 | 86 km |
| 2011 | HONEY PRAIRIE | 147,065 | 83 km |
| 2011 | CRAVENS HAMMOCK | 142,688 | 76 km |
| 2002 | BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX | 107,076 | 83 km |
| 1999 | FRIENDLY | 75,089 | 85 km |
| 2007 | SWEAT FARM ROAD | 52,495 | 62 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY LINE | 35,440 | 84 km |
| 2004 | IMPASSABLE ONE | 29,836 | 94 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 25,845 | 87 km |
| 1998 | OAK | 21,478 | 97 km |
| 1990 | SHORTS | 21,413 | 73 km |
| 2011 | SESSOM COMMUNITY FIRE | 20,916 | 68 km |
| 2011 | GA-19 (SAW FLY RD) | 19,730 | 86 km |
| 2011 | SWEAT FARM AGAIN | 19,698 | 55 km |
| 2011 | DURDIN PRAIRIE | 19,487 | 88 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 18,577 | 95 km |
| 1989 | PIN HOOK | 16,471 | 88 km |
| 1999 | HICKORY IS | 14,656 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in |
Lakeland has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 48°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and October the driest (2.2").