Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lawtey enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 82°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 53.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 157 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average
54°F (12°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
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
Annual Rainfall53.2"
40% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug)7.76"
Driest Month (Nov)2.32"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
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
54°F (12°C)
3.6 in
Coldest
February
56°F (13°C)
3.8 in
March
62°F (17°C)
4.1 in
April
67°F (20°C)
2.7 in
May
74°F (23°C)
3.8 in
June
79°F (26°C)
6.5 in
July
82°F (28°C)
6.7 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
7.8 in
Wettest
September
78°F (25°C)
5.8 in
October
70°F (21°C)
2.4 in
November
62°F (17°C)
2.3 in
Driest
December
56°F (13°C)
3.0 in
Lawtey has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 54°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.8") and November the driest (2.3").