Weather & Climate in Lawtey, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lawtey has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 157 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
83°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 70.9°F |
| 31% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (29°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 872/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.0484°N, 82.0725°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Union County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gainesville Regional (GNV) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 39.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 32.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
23 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 | 157 km |
| 2024 | Milton | Category 3 | 115 mph | 229 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 129 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 118 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 2 | 86 mph | 230 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 75 mph | 261 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 228 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 3 | 92 mph | 283 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 1 | 75 mph | 206 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 127 mph | 133 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 187 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 81 mph | 277 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 2 | 86 mph | 228 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 1 | 92 mph | 285 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 123 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 283 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 3 | 109 mph | 287 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 219 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 290 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 217 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
472 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 fatalities, 137 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 2, 2018 | EF3 | 96 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 1971 | EF3 | 53 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1960 | EF3 | 56 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1958 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 12, 2023 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 56 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 35 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | EF2 | 54 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | EF2 | 37 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2001 | EF2 | 98 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | EF2 | 45 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1995 | EF2 | 55 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 1994 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 14, 1986 | EF2 | 50 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 30 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | EF2 | 88 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 | 67 km |
| 2017 | WEST MIMS | 166,737 | 70 km |
| 2011 | HONEY PRAIRIE | 147,065 | 75 km |
| 2011 | CRAVENS HAMMOCK | 142,688 | 88 km |
| 2002 | BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX | 107,076 | 74 km |
| 1999 | FRIENDLY | 75,089 | 63 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 59,179 | 96 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY LINE | 35,440 | 63 km |
| 2004 | IMPASSABLE ONE | 29,836 | 52 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 24,956 | 90 km |
| 1998 | OAK | 21,478 | 51 km |
| 1990 | SHORTS | 21,413 | 80 km |
| 2011 | DURDIN PRAIRIE | 19,487 | 90 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 18,577 | 53 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 16,594 | 46 km |
| 1989 | PIN HOOK | 16,471 | 59 km |
| 1999 | HICKORY IS | 14,656 | 97 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 14,543 | 42 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,873 | 18 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 13,806 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 70°F (21°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 8.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 83°F (29°C) | 7.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 6.4 in | |
| September | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 in | |
| October | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 65°F (18°C) | 2.3 in | Driest |
| December | 59°F (15°C) | 2.7 in |
Lawtey has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 57°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (8.2") and November the driest (2.3").