Gainesville lies in the north central part of the Florida peninsula, almost midway between the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The terrain is fairly level with several nearby lakes to the east and south. Due to its centralized location, maritime influences are somewhat less than they would be along coastlines at the same latitude.
Maximum temperatures in summer average slightly more than 90 degrees. From June to September, the number of days when temperatures exceed 89 degrees is 84 on average. Record high temperatures are in excess of 100 degrees. Minimum temperatures in winter average a little more than 44 degrees. The average number of days per year when temperatures are freezing or below is 18. Record lows occur in the teens. Low temperatures are a consequence of cold winds from the north or nighttime radiational cooling of the ground in contact with rather calm air.
Rainfall is appreciable in every month but is most abundant from showers and thunderstorms in summer. The average number of thunderstorm hours yearly is approximately 160. In winter, large-scale cyclone and frontal activity is responsible for some of the precipitation. Monthly average values range from about 2 inches in November to about 8 inches in August. Snowfall is practically unknown.
Because of its inland location, Gainesville does not have serious problems with hurricanes. An occasional hurricane will cross the Gulf or Atlantic coast and head toward Gainesville, but before it arrives it is weakened by surface friction and a depletion of water vapor. |
