Rutherford Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Rutherford is less a town than a crossroads of famous vineyards in mid-valley, between Oakville and St. Helena. Napa Valley spreads to about 2 miles across here. Its appellation, the officially defined wine-growing area, runs from Mt. St. John on the west to the Vaca Mountains on the east. The Napa River runs through the middle, and the gravelly Rutherford Bench lines the western foothills. Historic estates such as Inglenook and Beaulieu Vineyard date to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The name traces to Thomas Rutherford, who received this land from George Yount's grant in 1864.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Rutherford weather today and through the year
It's 51°F at Rutherford right now (feels like 49°F), with 2 mph wind and a comfort score of 75. Today's forecast high at Rutherford is 58°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Rutherford. In November, 20% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 58).
August is the warmest month at Rutherford, with an average high of 89°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F. January is the wettest month (6.4 in.), out of about 30.8 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Rutherford are September, October, and May. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in October, and 11 AM to 2 PM in May.
Rutherford's weather comes down to width. The valley is broad here, so the floor takes in more sun over the course of a day than the narrower stretches to the north and south. Local vintners rate it a bit warmer than Oakville. It is far enough upvalley that fog from San Pablo Bay only brushes it on some summer mornings.
Forecast updated November 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM PST. Climate figures come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hourly patterns come from NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
What to expect at Rutherford in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Rutherford. In November, 20% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 58).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Rutherford, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 73. Wednesday looks weakest (46).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (73%, about 0.35 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Rutherford right now
Overcast and 51° at Rutherford right now.
About the live weather map for Rutherford
The map centers on Rutherford and stacks fog, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions. Fog comes from our HRRR-based fog model, and the slider steps through its forecast for the next 12 hours.
Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby San Francisco Bay Area destinations
Tip: Bay Area temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Rutherford vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Rutherford, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Rutherford |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakville | 2 mi | -1°F | 24% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| St. Helena | 4.1 mi | same | 24% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Yountville | 5.2 mi | -2°F | 29% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| American Canyon | 21.6 mi | -12°F | 20% | 11 mph | about 12°F cooler on summer afternoons and about 26% less rain a year |
| Olompali State Historic Park | 22.9 mi | -11°F | 35% | 9 mph | about 11°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (35% vs 23% of morning hours) |
| Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve | 23.8 mi | -11°F | 35% | 9 mph | about 11°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (35% vs 23% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Rutherford's
- Napa (13 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Geyserville (31 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Cloverdale (40 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Rutherford climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Rutherford with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.
Positive and negative differences describe how Rutherford departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.
Rutherford weather by month
August is the warmest month at Rutherford, with an average high of 89°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F. January is the wettest month (6.4 in.), out of about 30.8 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 31% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 5% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Rutherford are September, October, and May. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in October, and 11 AM to 2 PM in May.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 38°F | 6.4 in | 11 | 28% | 33% | 5 mph | 9.8 h | 44 |
| Feb | 62°F | 40°F | 6.1 in | 10 | 17% | 26% | 6 mph | 10.7 h | 54 |
| Mar | 67°F | 42°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 19% | 31% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 68 |
| Apr | 71°F | 44°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 15% | 23% | 7 mph | 13.2 h | 79 |
| May | 78°F | 48°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 14% | 18% | 8 mph | 14.3 h | 80 |
| Jun | 85°F | 53°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 16% | 7% | 8 mph | 14.8 h | 77 |
| Jul | 88°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 26% | 5% | 8 mph | 14.6 h | 76 |
| Aug | 89°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 27% | 7% | 7 mph | 13.6 h | 76 |
| Sep | 87°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 23% | 10% | 7 mph | 12.3 h | 82 |
| Oct | 79°F | 47°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 21% | 15% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 81 |
| Nov | 66°F | 41°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 20% | 21% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 72 |
| Dec | 58°F | 38°F | 6.3 in | 11 | 31% | 35% | 5 mph | 9.5 h | 41 |
Morning fog is the share of hours from 6 to 10 AM with fog or low cloud. Midday cloud is the average from 11 AM to 3 PM, and afternoon wind is the average from 1 to 5 PM. The highlighted rows are the most comfortable months.
What makes Rutherford's weather different
When the fog burns off
noonwhen December fog usually thins (35% foggy at 7 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Rutherford in 35% of 7 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. May mornings are the least foggy (14%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–September
From March through September, wind at Rutherford typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 9 mph with 7% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Hot hours
6 habove 85°F on a typical July afternoon
In July, the average temperature stays at or above 85°F for 6 hours a day.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Rutherford range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:55 PM.
Seasons at Rutherford
- Warm seasonJun 28 – Sep 24 · highs 86°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jun 28 to Sep 24, when the average high is 86°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 89°F.
- Hot afternoonsJun 8 – Sep 26 · highs 85°F+
Average highs reach 85°F or more from Jun 8 to Sep 26.
- Cool seasonNov 27 – Feb 26 · highs 64°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 27 to Feb 26, when the average high is 64°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 38°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 1 – Apr 12 · 87% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 1 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 87% of the year's rain.
The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of rain by Oct 21 and half of its annual total by Jan 22.
Days per year and extremes (Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026)
This record runs from Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026. Over this record, Rutherford averaged 46 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 3 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 20 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 1 afternoon with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 117 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Jun 11, 2026 (103°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (30°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (4.35 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 41 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 46days at 90°F or hotter
- 3nights at or below freezing
- 20days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 117mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day103°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night30°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day4.35 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust41 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Rutherford's weather
The two sides of Napa Valley at Rutherford behave differently. The western bench sits under the Mayacamas, loses direct sun earlier, and catches cooling marine breezes late in the afternoon. On the east side, a series of hills and folds toward the Vaca Mountains creates small pockets that run warmer or cooler than the open floor.
Evenings cool off fast on Rutherford's flat, open valley floor. The Rutherford Dust Society says an average summer day can drop about 12 degrees right after sunset. It adds that temperatures just north and south of Rutherford can differ by as much as 10 degrees. On clear, still spring nights cold air settles onto the vineyards, and freezing temperatures are possible in March and April.
Tips for visiting Rutherford
Pack a jacket for sunset
An average summer day here can drop 12°F right after the sun goes down, so a warm tasting can end in a chilly drive home.
Choose the west bench for late shade
The Mayacamas shade the western benchland from the hot late-afternoon sun, so terraces on that side cool off sooner.
Plan to drive or ride on roads
No separated bike path runs through Rutherford yet, so cyclists share Highway 29, the Silverado Trail and the cross roads with traffic.
Ride the Vine Trail where it is open
The Napa Valley Vine Trail is open from Napa to Yountville and from St. Helena to Calistoga, so start a car-free ride at either end of the valley.
Rutherford through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is budbreak season, when the vines' new buds open. Clear, calm nights can still bring freezing temperatures in March and April.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings hot afternoons, often near 90°F, with a sharp cooldown after sunset. Morning fog is light or absent most days.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall is harvest season, with clear, warm days that ease through October. Dry northeast wind off the Vaca Mountains brings the year's highest fire danger.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the rainy season. The Napa River runs through the middle of the appellation, and the vineyards on the flat floor stay soggy for days after big storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Wine tasting: Summer afternoons on the open floor get hot, so morning appointments or shaded patios on the west bench are the comfortable choice.
- Visiting historic estates: Inglenook's chateau, finished in 1887, and the Beaulieu grounds next door work in any season, and indoor cellar visits suit rainy winter days.
- Road cycling: Cool, calm mornings are best. By midafternoon in summer the valley floor is hot, and the up-valley breeze adds a headwind on the way south.
- Vineyard photography: Late October and November bring color to the vines and low, clear light between storms. Spring mornings can be frosty.
Official sources and current conditions
- Rutherford Dust Society: the appellation
- Napa Valley Vintners: Rutherford AVA
- Caltrans QuickMap (Highway 29 conditions)
- National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area
Numbers on this page come from NOAA data. The text draws on the official sources linked above.
Historical Climate Data
Long-term weather patterns and climate data
Data sources: Recent temperatures come from NOAA URMA and recent precipitation from NOAA Stage IV. Fog, cloud, wind, humidity, and sunshine come from NOAA HRRR, and long-term baselines from NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
Climate Overview
Based on NOAA 30-year temperature/rain normals (1991-2020) with recent fog/sun baseline
🌟 Best Months to Visit
⚠️ Challenging Months
Monthly Breakdown
| Month | Comfort | High/Low | ☀️ Sun | 🌫️ Fog | 💧 Rain | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | 79 | 64.2° / 42.9° | 6.1h | 5d | 12.08" | 18 |
| December 2024 | 71 | 61.4° / 43.2° | 4.8h | 12d | 8.29" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 83 | 61.4° / 39.5° | 7h | 7d | 0.33" | 23 |
| February 2025 | 77 | 62.2° / 42.2° | 6.6h | 3d | 11.8" | 17 |
| March 2025 | 82 | 63.4° / 43.2° | 7.8h | 3d | 3.51" | 19 |
| April 2025 | 91 | 71.2° / 46.8° | 9.5h | 6d | 0.55" | 26 |
| May 2025 | 92 | 80.9° / 50.1° | 12.1h | 1d | 0.1" | 29 |
| June 2025 | 91 | 84° / 50.6° | 11.9h | 2d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 92 | 84.2° / 53.5° | 11.7h | 2d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 86 | 90.6° / 54.6° | 11.3h | 1d | 0" | 26 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 84.9° / 56.3° | 9.4h | 3d | 0.13" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 85 | 74.9° / 50.9° | 7.5h | 8d | 1.35" | 25 |
| November 2025 | 81 | 65.8° / 47.7° | 6.3h | 8d | 4.33" | 21 |
| December 2025 | 67 | 56.8° / 43.4° | 4.7h | 12d | 6.98" | 8 |
| January 2026 | 80 | 63° / 42.4° | 6.6h | 5d | 5.23" | 22 |
| February 2026 | 79 | 64.8° / 44.5° | 6.2h | 6d | 4.94" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 79.4° / 49.5° | 9.7h | 3d | 0.02" | 31 |
| April 2026 | 87 | 70.3° / 46.9° | 9.1h | 5d | 4.17" | 23 |
| May 2026 | 92 | 77.7° / 52.1° | 11.1h | 2d | 0.78" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 90 | 85.1° / 54.1° | 12.1h | 0d | 0" | 28 |
| July 2026 | 89 | 88.4° / 54.7° | 11.6h | 1d | 0" | 30 |
| August 2026 | 88 | 87.7° / 55° | 10.7h | 5d | 0" | 29 |
| September 2026 | 87 | 83.8° / 52.8° | 9.8h | 5d | 0.4" | 26 |
| October 2026 | 84 | 81.8° / 47.8° | 8.3h | 5d | 0.24" | 23 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Rutherford climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Rutherford, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.
Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Rutherford. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.
Hourly Temperature, Fog, Wind, Cloud Cover, and Solar Radiation Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2014-09-30 to 2026-04-30
- Temperature: At Rutherford, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in July (92°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (44°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Rutherford in 35% of 7 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. May mornings are the least foggy (14%).
- Wind: From March through September, wind at Rutherford typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 9 mph with 7% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Rutherford (5% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (35%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Rutherford comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 987 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Rutherford
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Rutherford changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.
This heatmap shows when fog or low cloud is most likely at Rutherford. Darker cells mark the months and hours when fog has been most common. They help separate overnight or morning fog from cloud that tends to linger into the afternoon.
This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Rutherford through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.
This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Rutherford for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.
This heatmap shows the average solar radiation reaching Rutherford by month and hour. Brighter cells indicate the strongest typical sun, while muted cells can reflect nighttime, shorter winter days, cloud cover, smoke, or terrain shading.
Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.
How recent months compared at Rutherford
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Rutherford averaged a high of 82°F, 7°F warmer than October 2025 (75°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 28.2 in. of rain to Rutherford, 91% of the 30.8 in. normal.
Location Details
Rutherford weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Rutherford
What is the weather like at Rutherford today?
It's 51°F at Rutherford right now, with a comfort score of 75 (great). Today's forecast high at Rutherford is 58°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Rutherford?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Rutherford are September, October, and May. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in October, and 11 AM to 2 PM in May. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jun 28 to Sep 24, when the average high is 86°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 89°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Rutherford?
August is the warmest month at Rutherford, with an average high of 89°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F.
When does the fog burn off at Rutherford?
Fog or low cloud covers Rutherford in 35% of 7 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. May mornings are the least foggy (14%).
When is it windiest at Rutherford?
From March through September, wind at Rutherford typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 9 mph with 7% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Rutherford get?
January is the wettest month (6.4 in.), out of about 30.8 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 1 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 87% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 28.2 in. of rain to Rutherford, 91% of the 30.8 in. normal.
What kind of place is Rutherford?
Rutherford is less a town than a crossroads of famous vineyards in mid-valley, between Oakville and St. Helena. Napa Valley spreads to about 2 miles across here. Its appellation, the officially defined wine-growing area, runs from Mt. St. John on the west to the Vaca Mountains on the east. The Napa River runs through the middle, and the gravelly Rutherford Bench lines the western foothills. Historic estates such as Inglenook and Beaulieu Vineyard date to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The name traces to Thomas Rutherford, who received this land from George Yount's grant in 1864.
What is Rutherford weather like in November?
November at Rutherford averages a high of 66°F and a low of 41°F, with 3.0 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 20% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Rutherford weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
Data sources and methods
- Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
- Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
- Daily records and recent months: NOAA URMA and HRRR analyses, plus NOAA Stage IV precipitation.
- Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
- Alerts: National Weather Service. Tides and ocean temperature: NOAA CO-OPS, where shown.
- All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
- Rutherford Dust Society, The Appellation (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Rutherford Dust Society, History (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Napa Valley Vintners, Rutherford AVA (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition, The Vine Trail (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:20.576Z.