March 24 is the average date of the last freezing temperature in the spring while November 12 is the average date of the first freezing temperature in the fall, which gives an average growing season of 233 days. Monthly rainfall ranges from a mean of 3.43 inches in October to 6.89 inches in March, with an annual precipitation average of 52.32 inches. Dry periods occur mainly during the late summer and early autumn, with a maximum of thundershower activity during July. The average annual snowfall is about 3.1 inches. However, a snow of 4 inches or more occurs about once every five years.
Most snows melt quickly due to the rapid warming which often follows a storm.
The Bermuda high pressure area has a dominant effect on Gainesville's weather, particularly in the summer months. Winds average only about 7.4 mph during the year, with relatively small fluctuations of the barometric pressure. East or northeast winds produce the most unpleasant weather conditions, although southerly winds are quite humid during the summer. The generally light wind conditions contribute to the formation of an occasional early morning fog. However, the number of clear to partly cloudy days far exceeds the number of cloudy days, making Gainesville a sunny place to live.