Weather in Gainesville, Florida
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Showers38%94°74°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—90°70°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast21%96°70°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast22%97°71°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Drizzle31%95°71°
- FridayMay 22Overcast40%95°72°
- SaturdayMay 23Overcast50%96°72°
- PM 2.5
- 8.6 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 11.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 76.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:51 AM
- Moonset
- 12:35 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Gainesville at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: February 13 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| April | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | — | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Gainesville's warmest weather (~81°F mean) while January delivers the coldest temperatures (~55°F). Rainfall peaks in June (7.6 inches) and drops to its lowest point in November (1.8 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55° | 3.3″ | 5 |
| February | 58° | 2.7″ | 4 |
| March | 63° | 3.5″ | 5 |
| April | 69° | 2.7″ | 4 |
| May | 75° | 3.1″ | 5 |
| June | 80° | 7.6″ | 11 |
| July | 81° | 6.7″ | 11 |
| August | 81° | 6.4″ | 10 |
| September | 79° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| October | 71° | 2.7″ | 4 |
| November | 63° | 1.8″ | 3 |
| December | 57° | 2.9″ | 5 |
Regional context
Gainesville belongs to a humid subtropical climate region. This classification connects it to nearby cities that share similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Miami, FL, Tampa, FL, Orlando, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Cape Coral, FL.
Naturalist notes
By late May, Swallow-tailed Kites return to North Florida's skies, their distinctive white and black forms soaring over Gainesville's canopy roads.
April brings the flowering of Southern Magnolia trees, their large white blooms opening across the city before the summer heat arrives.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Gainesville?
- Gainesville's last spring frost typically falls around mid-February, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Gainesville?
- June is the wettest month with about 7.6 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 48 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Gainesville?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Gainesville?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 55°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Gainesville?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-February); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Gainesville get?
- Gainesville averages about 73 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Gainesville?
- Gainesville's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Gainesville, Florida experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 55°F while July averages 81°F — a 27°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Gainesville receives about 48 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 73 rainy days.
Latitude (29.7°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. These factors shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.