Gainesville features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification *Cfa*). Summers are long, hot, and highly humid, with average high temperatures in the low to mid-90s (°F) from June through September. Frequent, intense afternoon thunderstorms are a staple of the summer months, providing much of the city's annual rainfall (which averages around 47 inches).
Winters are generally short and mild, with high temperatures typically in the 60s and lows in the 40s. However, due to its inland and northern location, Gainesville experiences occasional freezing temperatures and frost during the winter, which is rare in South Florida. Snowfall is exceptionally rare, though light flurries have been recorded historically. The best time to visit is during the spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) when the weather is warm, dry, and pleasant. Like much of Florida, the city is susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes, though its inland position often buffers it from the catastrophic coastal storm surges.