The city sits in a plain at the junction of the Flint River and several smaller rivers. The mostly level terrain contains large peanut farms and plantations and a few stands of trees. Proximity to the Gulf of Mexico influences the four-season climate. Summers are very warm and humid with the inland temperatures more extreme than those in the Florida Panhandle to the south. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, but periods of extended dry heat also occur. In winter the meeting of cool continental air and Gulf air often results in long periods of rain and cloudiness. Because of the flat terrain, local floods are possible. Although temperatures are usually mild, freezing occurs every winter. First freeze is early December, last is mid-February.