Gainesville Weather Radar

Gainesville Live Weather

Gainesville Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Gainesville cloud cover radar map and the Gainesville precipitation radar map.

Gainesville Hourly Weather Forecast

Gainesville 7-Day Weather Forecast

Gainesville Weather Overview

Gainesville sits in Cooke County along the Red River border with Oklahoma, where warm Gulf moisture collides with cold fronts sweeping down from the Great Plains. This collision zone makes the Gainesville TX weather radar essential for tracking fast-developing severe weather. The city averages 40 inches of rainfall per year and sits squarely in the southern reach of Tornado Alley, where spring and early summer storms can spin up tornadoes with little warning.

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms pose the greatest threat from March through June. The NWS Fort Worth/Dallas office (WFO FWD) issues frequent tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for Cooke County during peak season. The Gainesville TX weather radar picks up rotation signatures and storm cells moving northeast across the Texoma region — the same pattern behind the April 2016 tornado outbreak that struck multiple North Texas counties. Supercell thunderstorms also bring damaging hail and straight-line winds above 70 mph.

Ice storms in winter present an underestimated hazard. Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 plunged Gainesville to nearly -2°F — far below the typical January low of 31°F — knocking out power for days. Summer heat is equally punishing, with July highs averaging 94°F and occasional spikes past 110°F. Whether tracking a spring supercell or a winter ice storm, the Gainesville TX weather radar gives Cooke County residents the lead time they need to stay safe.

Gainesville Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Gainesville weather radar

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.

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.

Ice Storm Risk

Ice storms are rare in Gainesville but devastating when they hit. A quarter-inch of freezing rain coats everything — roads turn into skating rinks, power lines snap, trees come down. The radar shows whether you're getting rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow — that distinction is critical. When Gainesville gets an ice storm warning, stay off the roads and prepare for power outages that could last several days.

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.

Extreme Heat Risk

Summers in Gainesville get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.

How to Use Gainesville Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Gainesville weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions

Open the Gainesville TX weather radar page and look at the weather status bar showing temperature, humidity, and wind speed. During tornado season from March through June, pay extra attention to wind direction shifts.

Watch the Radar Map

The radar map shows precipitation moving across Cooke County and the Texoma region. Play the animation to track storm cells moving northeast along the Red River valley — that is the most common severe weather path for Gainesville.

Review the Forecast

Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast. Look for thunderstorm indicators in the spring months or ice and freezing rain warnings in winter before planning travel on I-35 or Highway 82.

Take Action

Severe storm approaching? Get to an interior room away from windows. Tornado warning issued for Cooke County? Move to a safe room or storm shelter immediately. Ice forecast? Stock up and stay off the roads.

Who Benefits from Gainesville Weather Radar

How different people use the Gainesville radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check radar before driving I-35 or Highway 82 — spot storms and ice moving across the Red River valley.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Runners and anglers at Lake Ray Roberts and Leonard Park — see incoming storms 30 minutes out.

Event Planners & Families

Planning outdoor events at Medal of Honor Park? Radar shows exactly when rain hits Gainesville.

Outdoor Workers

Construction and farm crews across Cooke County — check radar before outdoor work. Spring hail hits fast.

Gainesville Weather FAQ

Common questions about Gainesville weather patterns and radar

When is tornado season in Gainesville, TX?

Tornado season in Gainesville runs from March through June, with the highest risk in April and May. North Texas sits in Tornado Alley where warm Gulf air collides with cold fronts dropping from the Great Plains. The NWS Fort Worth office issues the most tornado warnings for the Texoma region during this stretch each year.

How much rainfall does Gainesville, Texas receive annually?

Gainesville averages about 40 inches of rain per year, spread across all seasons with a noticeable spring peak. The city also receives roughly 3 inches of snow annually, mostly in January and February. May and June are typically the wettest months, when severe thunderstorms bring heavy downpours that can overwhelm drainage systems quickly.

What was the worst weather disaster in Gainesville, TX?

Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 was the most impactful recent event, dropping temperatures to nearly -2°F and causing widespread power outages across Cooke County for several days. The April 2016 North Texas tornado outbreak and the May 2015 Red River flooding also caused significant property damage in and around Gainesville.

What type of climate does Gainesville, Texas have?

The NWS classifies Gainesville as humid subtropical, with hot summers and cool winters. July highs average 94°F and January lows average 31°F. Sitting at 761 feet elevation on the edge of the Great Plains, the city experiences rapid temperature swings when cold fronts push through, sometimes dropping 30 degrees or more in a few hours.

How is this radar different from Weather Channel or Weather.com for Gainesville?

Weather.com and The Weather Channel provide Gainesville radar alongside national coverage, video ads, and general forecasts. This page focuses on a clean, ad-free interface with interactive RainViewer radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook built specifically for Gainesville, TX. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes without autoplay video interruptions.

Does Gainesville, TX get tornadoes?

Yes. Cooke County sits at the southern edge of Tornado Alley, and the broader NWS Fort Worth coverage area averages 15 to 20 tornadoes per year. Gainesville itself receives several tornado warnings each spring season. Most tornadoes in the area are EF0 or EF1, but stronger tornadoes have touched down across North Texas in past outbreaks.