Hail history in Gainesville, FL
On average, NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Gainesville on 1.0 days a year from 2016 to 2025, 0.5 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Gainesville on 30 days since 2010. The largest hail reported was 2.5 in, in 2025. 16 of those days had hail of 1 inch or larger. June has the most hail days, 8 since 2010. The most recent was April 11, 2025. NOAA also recorded high wind on 115 days, with gusts up to 81 mph.
Ranks #146 of 200 US cities for days with hail 1 inch or larger, 2016 to 2025.
- Hail days since 2010
- 30
- Largest hail
- 2.5 in
- Highest gust
- 81 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
30 hail days within 15 miles since 2010, largest 2.5 in
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Hail days by year
Bar chart of hail days per year, 2010 to 2026. 30 hail days in total; the most was 6 in 2011.
Hail days by month
Hail days by month since 2010: Jan 0, Feb 3, Mar 2, Apr 4, May 7, Jun 8, Jul 5, Aug 1, Sep 0, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
Most recent hail days
| Date | Largest hail | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 2025 | 2.5 in | 1.6 mi |
| Feb 4, 2024 | 1.0 in | 2.4 mi |
| Jul 25, 2023 | 0.75 in | 2.9 mi |
| Jun 15, 2023 | 0.75 in | 4.2 mi |
| Apr 26, 2023 | 1.5 in | 14.5 mi |
| May 29, 2022 | 0.88 in | 9.0 mi |
| Apr 10, 2021 | 0.88 in | 14.5 mi |
| Feb 6, 2021 | 1.0 in | 10.6 mi |
| Jun 3, 2018 | 1.0 in | 14.5 mi |
| Jul 15, 2016 | 0.88 in | 13.0 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Gainesville, not from any one property. Look up a street address below for a single building.
- Reports come from trained spotters and the public, so they cluster near towns and roads.
- No report does not mean no hail. Hail can fall where no one is there to report it.
- This is not a damage or insurance assessment.
115 high-wind days within 15 miles since 2010, strongest gust 81 mph
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
Most recent high-wind days
| Date | Highest gust | Nearest report |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2026 | 63 mph | 4.3 mi |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Not recorded | 2.0 mi |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Not recorded | 3.5 mi |
| Jul 11, 2026 | 78 mph | 2.0 mi |
| Jul 10, 2026 | 66 mph | 2.9 mi |
| May 24, 2026 | Not recorded | 8.7 mi |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 61 mph | 4.3 mi |
| Jul 14, 2025 | 46 mph | 5.5 mi |
| Jun 15, 2025 | 46 mph | 1.7 mi |
| Jun 14, 2025 | 46 mph | 7.5 mi |
About this data
- Distances are from the center of Gainesville, not from any one property. Look up a street address below for a single building.
- Reports come from trained spotters and the public, so they cluster near towns and roads.
- No report does not mean no hail. Hail can fall where no one is there to report it.
- Wind speed is the highest reported gust; some reports have no speed.
- This is not a damage or insurance assessment.
Gusts, tornadoes and hurricanes in Gainesville
Estimated peak gusts
1 day since October 1, 2021 had an estimated peak gust of 58 mph or more at Gainesville.
| Day | Estimated peak gust |
|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2024 | 58 mph or more |
| Dec 17, 2023 | 50 mph or more |
| Nov 10, 2022 | 50 mph or more |
| Sep 29, 2022 | 50 mph or more |
Estimates: the highest gust of each storm day in NOAA’s hourly 2.5 km wind analysis (URMA), which fills in between weather stations. Analyses like this smooth out short thunderstorm gusts, so they are best for widespread wind (hurricanes, winter storms, high wind days); for thunderstorm wind, NOAA’s wind reports are the better record. Not a measurement at any building.
Tornadoes within 10 miles
NOAA recorded 15 tornadoes whose path came within 10 miles of Gainesville since 1950; the strongest was rated EF2.
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2016 | EF0 | 0.66 miles | 2 miles |
| Dec 15, 2007 | EF1 | 0.75 miles | 5.2 miles |
| Apr 25, 2003 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 0.2 miles |
| Aug 8, 1990 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 2.6 miles |
| Jul 9, 1987 | EF0 | 0.2 miles | 2.6 miles |
| Mar 13, 1986 | EF2 | 2 miles | 2.6 miles |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF1 | 4 miles | 2.1 miles |
| May 3, 1978 | EF2 | 12.8 miles | 2.4 miles |
Show all 15Show fewer
| Day | Rating | Path length | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 1977 | EF1 | 6.4 miles | 5.7 miles |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF0 | 0.3 miles | 8.1 miles |
| Feb 2, 1970 | EF2 | 0.1 miles | 3.1 miles |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 9.7 miles |
| Sep 28, 1966 | EF2 | 0.5 miles | 0.7 miles |
| Sep 21, 1966 | EF1 | 0.1 miles | 3.1 miles |
| Aug 16, 1964 | EF0 | 0.1 miles | 3.1 miles |
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center. Ratings before 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
58 storms in NOAA's records brought modeled tropical-storm-force winds (39 mph or more) to Gainesville.
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton (2024) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 126 miles |
| Helene (2024) | 71 mph | 58 mph | 84 miles |
| Debby (2024) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 61 miles |
| Idalia (2023) | 53 mph | 43 mph | 71 miles |
| Irma (2017) | 66 mph | 54 mph | 22 miles |
| Hermine (2016) | 58 mph | 47 mph | 106 miles |
| Colin (2016) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 50 miles |
| Fay (2008) | 55 mph | 45 mph | 6 miles |
Show all 58Show fewer
| Storm | Modeled peak gust | Sustained | Closest pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanne (2004) | 54 mph | 44 mph | 32 miles |
| Frances (2004) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 87 miles |
| Gordon (2000) | 52 mph | 42 mph | 39 miles |
| Earl (1998) | 51 mph | 41 mph | 149 miles |
| Opal (1995) | 50 mph | 40 mph | 281 miles |
| Elena (1985) | 60 mph | 49 mph | 107 miles |
| David (1979) | 56 mph | 45 mph | 89 miles |
| Gladys (1968) | 67 mph | 55 mph | 39 miles |
| Alma (1966) | 50 mph | 41 mph | 101 miles |
| Dora (1964) | 67 mph | 55 mph | 22 miles |
| Donna (1960) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 74 miles |
| Love (1950) | 48 mph | 39 mph | 57 miles |
| King (1950) | 66 mph | 54 mph | 8 miles |
| Easy (1950) | 112 mph | 91 mph | 36 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1949 | 77 mph | 62 mph | 30 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1947 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 8 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1946 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1945 | 56 mph | 45 mph | 51 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1945 | 49 mph | 40 mph | 49 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1944 | 57 mph | 46 mph | 36 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1937 | 52 mph | 42 mph | 15 miles |
| 1935 Labor Day hurricane | 70 mph | 57 mph | 63 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1933 | 58 mph | 47 mph | 47 miles |
| 1928 Okeechobee hurricane | 74 mph | 60 mph | 26 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1926 | 58 mph | 47 mph | 29 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1921 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 77 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1903 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 133 miles |
| 1898 Georgia hurricane | 59 mph | 48 mph | 101 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1896 | 125 mph | 102 mph | 26 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1894 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 70 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1893 | 55 mph | 45 mph | 101 miles |
| 1893 Sea Islands hurricane | 58 mph | 47 mph | 104 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1888 | 92 mph | 75 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1888 | 54 mph | 44 mph | 33 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1886 | 62 mph | 50 mph | 19 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1886 | 57 mph | 47 mph | 101 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1885 | 59 mph | 48 mph | 44 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1885 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 100 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1882 | 67 mph | 55 mph | 43 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1880 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 28 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1880 | 59 mph | 48 mph | 68 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1878 | 72 mph | 59 mph | 38 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1874 | 68 mph | 55 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1871 | 68 mph | 55 mph | 3 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1871 | 50 mph | 41 mph | 41 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1871 | 75 mph | 61 mph | 8 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1867 | 63 mph | 51 mph | 12 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1854 | 71 mph | 58 mph | 115 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1853 | 56 mph | 46 mph | 107 miles |
| Unnamed storm, 1852 | 53 mph | 43 mph | 108 miles |
Modeled from NOAA’s best tracks for open, flat ground; not measurements. How we model hurricane winds
67 radar hail days within 15 miles since 2020, largest 1.5 in or more
Source: NOAA MRMS radar (MESH), from October 14, 2020. Estimates of the largest hail in each 1 km cell, not measurements.
24 days with radar hail 1 inch or larger, 0 at 2 inches or larger, within 15 miles of Gainesville’s center.
Biggest radar hail days
- 0.75 in+
- 1.0 in+
- 1.5 in+
- 2.0 in+
- 2.5 in+
- 3.0 in+
Most recent radar hail days
| Date | Largest radar estimate |
|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 29, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 20, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
| Aug 19, 2026 | 1.0 in or more |
| Aug 17, 2026 | 0.75 in or more |
Storms in Gainesville
The Florida Climate Center says hail is not common in Florida because the freezing level in its thunderstorms is so high that hail often melts before reaching the ground.1 Storm Prediction Center records for 1980 to 2006 around the Jacksonville radar show a primary severe season from April 19 to August 21, with the daily peak around June 23.2
Notable storms
- July 11, 2026A WeatherSTEM sensor more than 100 feet above ground near the University of Florida measured a 78 mph gust. Numerous trees and wires came down in Gainesville, with the most on the east side of the city.3
- April 11, 2025Storms dropped hail across Gainesville, and a spotter shared images of 2.5-inch and 1.5-inch hail near NW 39th Avenue. The public reported 2-inch hail near Waldo Road and State Road 24 near NE 96th Avenue.4,5
- September 26, 2024Hurricane Helene's winds brought down trees across Alachua County that blocked major roads and fell on homes. At the University of Florida, a WeatherSTEM station measured a 66 mph gust, and trees that fell across campus caused minor damage to buildings and vehicles.6
- September 10, 2017Hurricane Irma brought a 61 mph peak gust to Gainesville Regional Airport and blew down trees across the University of Florida campus and within city limits. The airport recorded 12.40 inches of rain from September 10 to 12.7
- May 20, 2016An EF0 tornado tracked about two-thirds of a mile across the University of Florida campus, where UF's wind damage assessment team estimated winds of 64 to 85 mph. It blew off corrugated metal roof panels and downed six pine and oak trees 18 to 32 inches across. No injuries were reported.8
Warnings and alerts
NWS Jacksonville covers Alachua County, including Gainesville.9 Alachua County's Alert Alachua system sends weather alerts by phone, text or email, and texting ALACHUA to 888-777 brings real-time county updates during large emergencies.10
Sources
- 1. Florida Climate Center: Thunderstorms
- 2. NOAA SPC: JAX Severe Weather Climatology
- 3. NOAA SPC: Storm Prediction Center 20260711's Storm Reports
- 4. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Alachua County, April 11, 2025
- 5. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Hail, Alachua County, April 11, 2025 (near Waldo Road)
- 6. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tropical Storm, Eastern Alachua County, September 26, 2024
- 7. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tropical Storm, Alachua County, September 10, 2017
- 8. NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: Tornado, Alachua County, May 20, 2016
- 9. NWS Jacksonville: Post Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Irma
- 10. Alachua County: Alachua County Ready
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Questions about hail in Gainesville
Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center
Data through November 1, 2026
- How often does it hail in Gainesville?
- NOAA recorded hail within 15 miles of the center of Gainesville on 1.0 days a year on average from 2016 to 2025, 0.5 of them with hail 1 inch or larger. Since 2010 it recorded 30 hail days.
- When is hail season in Gainesville?
- June has the most hail days within 15 miles of the center of Gainesville, 8 since 2010, then May (7) and July (5).
- What is the largest hail recorded in Gainesville?
- 2.5 in, in 2025: the largest hail NOAA recorded within 15 miles of the center of Gainesville since 2010.
- When did it last hail in Gainesville?
- NOAA's most recent hail report within 15 miles of the center of Gainesville is from April 11, 2025, with hail up to 2.5 in reported 1.6 miles from the center. Data through November 1, 2026.