Gainesville Weather Radar
Gainesville Live Weather
Gainesville Live Weather Radar
Gainesville Hourly Weather Forecast
Gainesville 7-Day Weather Forecast
Gainesville Weather Overview
Gainesville sits in North Central Florida, where humid subtropical conditions fuel active weather throughout the year. The city's inland position about 70 miles from the Gulf provides some protection from direct hurricane landfalls, but tropical systems still deliver heavy rainfall and damaging winds. The NWS Jacksonville office (WFO JAX) issues warnings when severe weather threatens the Gainesville weather radar coverage area.
Hurricane Irma in September 2017 demonstrated the area's vulnerability — sustained winds reached 65 mph and over 100,000 Alachua County residents lost power. Tropical Storm Debby dumped more than 10 inches of rain in 48 hours during August 2012, causing widespread flooding and sinkholes across the Gainesville weather radar zone. Between tropical events, spring and early summer bring severe thunderstorms with damaging hail, straight-line winds, and occasional tornadoes. The Gainesville weather radar shows storm cells building rapidly when humid Gulf air collides with frontal boundaries. Check the Gainesville weather radar map to see rotation signatures that warn of tornado formation.
Winters are mild, though rare Arctic outbreaks bring hard freezes — the Great Blizzard of 1899 sent temperatures plunging to 6°F, still the all-time record low. The February 2021 freeze lasted multiple days. Gainesville averages 48.31 inches of rainfall annually, with summer being wettest when afternoon thunderstorms are nearly daily. The Gainesville weather radar updates every 20 minutes during active weather across the University of Florida campus, helping residents track storms before they arrive.
Gainesville Weather Risks & Safety
Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk
Gainesville sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in Gainesville, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Gainesville regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Gainesville, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Gainesville's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Gainesville hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Gainesville averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
How to Use Gainesville Weather Radar
Check Current Conditions
Look at the weather status bar at the top of the Gainesville radar page for temperature, humidity, and wind speed across the University of Florida campus area.
Watch the Radar Map
The Gainesville weather radar map shows precipitation moving across North Central Florida. Hit play on the animation to see which direction afternoon thunderstorms are heading.
Check the Forecast
Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast. During hurricane season (June through November), watch for tropical moisture that could bring heavy rain to the Gainesville area.
Plan Around the Weather
Summer thunderstorms hit Gainesville almost daily between 2-6 PM. Check the radar before heading to Payne's Prairie or any outdoor event at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Who Benefits from Gainesville Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Check radar before driving I-75 or Archer Road — spot afternoon storms flooding your route home.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Runners on the Hawthorne Trail and Payne's Prairie — see incoming storms 30 minutes out.
Event Planners & Families
Game day at The Swamp? Radar shows exactly when rain hits Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews across Alachua County — check radar before outdoor work. Summer storms hit fast.