Santa Rosa Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Wine Country's largest city and the Sonoma County seat, Santa Rosa spreads across the flat Santa Rosa Plain below the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Downtown runs from the central square to Historic Railroad Square, where the visitor center occupies an old depot and SMART trains stop. Luther Burbank's home and gardens and the Charles M. Schulz Museum are here, and the east side reaches Spring Lake and Trione-Annadel State Park.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Santa Rosa weather today and through the year
It's 55°F at Santa Rosa right now (feels like 53°F), with 7 mph wind and a comfort score of 80. Today's forecast high at Santa Rosa is 58°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Santa Rosa. In November, 28% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 59).
August is the warmest month at Santa Rosa, with an average high of 84°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 37°F. December is the wettest month (6.5 in.), out of about 31.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Santa Rosa are September, August, and June. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 10 AM to 1 PM in June.
Santa Rosa is far enough inland to heat up but still within reach of the ocean. Cool Pacific breezes reach the plain along the Russian River to the west and through the Petaluma Gap, a low break in the coastal hills to the southwest. On summer nights that air often brings fog into town, and it usually burns off by late morning. Because the city sits farther from both entry points than Petaluma or Sebastopol, its afternoons tend to run warmer.
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 Santa Rosa in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Santa Rosa. In November, 28% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 59).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Santa Rosa, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 76. Today looks weakest (52).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (87%, about 0.56 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Santa Rosa right now
Overcast and 55° at Santa Rosa right now.
About the live weather map for Santa Rosa
The map centers on Santa Rosa 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.
Santa Rosa vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annadel State Park | 5.6 mi | +1°F | 31% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Sebastopol | 6.5 mi | -2°F | 30% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Rohnert Park | 7 mi | -2°F | 34% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Dillon Beach | 19.1 mi | -26°F | 43% | 12 mph | about 26°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (43% vs 33% of morning hours) |
| Salmon Creek Beach | 20.2 mi | -27°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 27°F cooler on summer afternoons and about 51% more rain a year |
| Schoolhouse Beach | 20.2 mi | -27°F | 51% | 9 mph | about 27°F cooler on summer afternoons and about 68% more rain a year |
Places with a climate like Santa Rosa's
- Petaluma (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Healdsburg (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Portola Redwoods State Park (87 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Santa Rosa climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa 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.
Santa Rosa weather by month
August is the warmest month at Santa Rosa, with an average high of 84°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 37°F. December is the wettest month (6.5 in.), out of about 31.5 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 39% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 11% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Santa Rosa are September, August, and June. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 10 AM to 1 PM in June.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 38°F | 6.0 in | 10 | 37% | 37% | 5 mph | 9.8 h | 40 |
| Feb | 62°F | 40°F | 6.1 in | 10 | 21% | 29% | 6 mph | 10.7 h | 50 |
| Mar | 65°F | 41°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 22% | 33% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 66 |
| Apr | 69°F | 43°F | 2.0 in | 6 | 21% | 27% | 8 mph | 13.2 h | 77 |
| May | 75°F | 46°F | 1.2 in | 4 | 21% | 23% | 9 mph | 14.3 h | 81 |
| Jun | 81°F | 50°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 23% | 11% | 9 mph | 14.8 h | 84 |
| Jul | 83°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 39% | 11% | 9 mph | 14.6 h | 84 |
| Aug | 84°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 11% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 85 |
| Sep | 83°F | 50°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 32% | 15% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 87 |
| Oct | 77°F | 46°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 27% | 19% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 82 |
| Nov | 66°F | 41°F | 3.3 in | 8 | 28% | 24% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 70 |
| Dec | 58°F | 37°F | 6.5 in | 11 | 38% | 41% | 5 mph | 9.5 h | 36 |
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 Santa Rosa's weather different
When the fog burns off
10 AMwhen July fog usually thins (50% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Santa Rosa in 50% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (21%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Santa Rosa typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 1% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Santa Rosa range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:35 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Santa Rosa
- Warm seasonJun 26 – Sep 28 · highs 81°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 28, when the average high is 81°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 84°F.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 25 · highs 63°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 25, when the average high is 63°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 37°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 28 – Apr 15 · 87% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 15, 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 23.
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, Santa Rosa averaged 22 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 2 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 19 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 0 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 155 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 3, 2026 (101°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (31°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (6.11 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 42 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 22days at 90°F or hotter
- 2nights at or below freezing
- 19days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 0afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 155mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day101°FOct 3, 2026
- Coldest night31°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day6.11 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust42 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Santa Rosa's weather
Elevation matters inside Santa Rosa. The hillsides in Fountaingrove and toward Annadel form a thermal belt, a band of slope where warmer air stays put on clear nights. Cold air drains off them onto the flat west side toward the Laguna de Santa Rosa. On still winter mornings the low neighborhoods can be frosty while slopes a few hundred feet higher stay milder.
The Mayacamas rise along the city's northeast edge. In fall, dry offshore winds, which blow from inland toward the coast, can rush down off them. In October 2017, wind-whipped fire burned into the city in the middle of the night and destroyed homes in neighborhoods including Coffey Park. Watch county alerts closely on fall Red Flag Warning days, the weather service's alerts for hot, dry, windy fire weather.
Tips for visiting Santa Rosa
Sign up for SoCoAlert
Sonoma County sends wildfire, flood, and evacuation alerts through SoCoAlert and Nixle. Look up your evacuation zone before fall wind season.
Ride SMART to Railroad Square
The SMART train connects Historic Railroad Square, where the visitor center sits in the old depot, with Petaluma and Marin.
Swim at Spring Lake in summer
Spring Lake's swimming lagoon has lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and dogs aren't allowed at the lagoon.
Bike west to Sebastopol
The paved Joe Rodota Trail starts downtown at the Prince Memorial Greenway and runs 8.5 miles to Sebastopol.
Do hot-day outings in the morning
Summer afternoons on the plain get hot once the fog burns off. Plan hikes and rides before noon and spend the afternoon by water or in shade.
Santa Rosa through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green hills, warming afternoons, and the last storms of the rainy season into April. Spring Lake's swim season opens Memorial Day weekend.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings hot afternoons and cool nights. Pacific breezes entering through the Petaluma Gap moderate the heat, and night fog usually clears by late morning.
- Fall (September–November)
- September stays almost as hot as August, and fall is the peak season for offshore wind and fire danger. The 2017 fires began in the early hours of Oct. 8.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the rainy season. Between storms, clear nights can bring frost to the low west side while the hillside thermal belt stays milder.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Swimming and paddling at Spring Lake: Warm summer afternoons are the best time to swim. Gas engines aren't allowed on the 72-acre reservoir, and rentals run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Cycling the Joe Rodota Trail: Ride on summer mornings before the heat, or on spring and fall afternoons, when the county says the views are at their best.
- Strolling Railroad Square and downtown: Downtown is comfortable for walking most of the year. On summer days, go in the morning or evening and skip the midafternoon heat.
Official sources and current conditions
- SMART train stations
- Sonoma County emergency alerts (SoCoAlert)
- Sonoma County evacuation zone map
- Sonoma County Regional Parks: Spring Lake Regional Park
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 | 76 | 62.6° / 43° | 6h | 6d | 14.05" | 15 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 59.2° / 43.6° | 5h | 11d | 8.4" | 11 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 60.7° / 40° | 6.9h | 10d | 0.39" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 73 | 60.7° / 42.2° | 6h | 10d | 9.88" | 14 |
| March 2025 | 79 | 61.9° / 43.4° | 7.1h | 6d | 2.94" | 18 |
| April 2025 | 88 | 67.2° / 45.9° | 9.5h | 9d | 0.35" | 24 |
| May 2025 | 94 | 76.3° / 49.3° | 12.2h | 4d | 0.09" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 92 | 76.4° / 50.6° | 11.9h | 12d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 91 | 76.5° / 53.3° | 11.4h | 15d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 91 | 84.5° / 54.4° | 11h | 11d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 89 | 80.4° / 56.8° | 9.2h | 4d | 0.26" | 27 |
| October 2025 | 84 | 72.4° / 51.1° | 7.2h | 10d | 1.03" | 23 |
| November 2025 | 76 | 63.9° / 48.1° | 5.8h | 15d | 3.91" | 13 |
| December 2025 | 62 | 55.7° / 43° | 4.4h | 26d | 5.45" | 2 |
| January 2026 | 78 | 61.1° / 41.3° | 6.4h | 6d | 3.81" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 77 | 63.1° / 45.1° | 6.1h | 7d | 3.92" | 15 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 78.1° / 48.5° | 9.8h | 3d | 0.04" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 85 | 67.9° / 46.9° | 9.1h | 7d | 4.22" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 91 | 73.2° / 51.4° | 11.5h | 9d | 0.79" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 91 | 78.3° / 53.8° | 12h | 9d | 0" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 91 | 81.3° / 54° | 11.3h | 8d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 90 | 81.2° / 54.6° | 10.4h | 18d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 80.5° / 53.4° | 9.5h | 10d | 0.25" | 28 |
| October 2026 | 90 | 78.7° / 49.2° | 8.4h | 3d | 0.14" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Santa Rosa climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa. 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 Santa Rosa, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (83°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (42°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Santa Rosa in 50% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (21%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Santa Rosa typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 1% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Santa Rosa (11% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (41%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Santa Rosa comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 965 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Santa Rosa
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa. 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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Santa Rosa averaged a high of 79°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (72°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 23.4 in. of rain to Santa Rosa, 74% of the 31.5 in. normal.
Location Details
Santa Rosa weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Santa Rosa
What is the weather like at Santa Rosa today?
It's 55°F at Santa Rosa right now, with a comfort score of 80 (great). Today's forecast high at Santa Rosa is 58°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 59).
What is the best month to visit Santa Rosa?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Santa Rosa are September, August, and June. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 10 AM to 1 PM in June. The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 28, when the average high is 81°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 84°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Santa Rosa?
August is the warmest month at Santa Rosa, with an average high of 84°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 37°F.
When does the fog burn off at Santa Rosa?
Fog or low cloud covers Santa Rosa in 50% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (21%).
When is it windiest at Santa Rosa?
From February through October, wind at Santa Rosa typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 1% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Santa Rosa get?
December is the wettest month (6.5 in.), out of about 31.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 15, 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 23.4 in. of rain to Santa Rosa, 74% of the 31.5 in. normal.
What kind of place is Santa Rosa?
Wine Country's largest city and the Sonoma County seat, Santa Rosa spreads across the flat Santa Rosa Plain below the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Downtown runs from the central square to Historic Railroad Square, where the visitor center occupies an old depot and SMART trains stop. Luther Burbank's home and gardens and the Charles M. Schulz Museum are here, and the east side reaches Spring Lake and Trione-Annadel State Park.
What is Santa Rosa weather like in November?
November at Santa Rosa averages a high of 66°F and a low of 41°F, with 3.3 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 28% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Santa Rosa weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
- Santa Rosa Weather: Climate, Fire Season and the Coastal Divide
- Red Flag Warning vs. Fire Weather Watch: What Each Alert Level Means
- Sonoma Weather Guide: How Wine Country's Climate Differs from Napa
- Bay Area Rainfall Totals by City: Who Gets the Most Rain?
- What Does a Fire Weather Warning Mean? Terms and Thresholds Explained
- How Fog Forms Along the Northern California Coast
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.
- TTB proposed rule, Fountaingrove District viticultural area, Federal Register, June 30, 2014 (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Emergency Management, SoCoEmergency (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County, Looking back at 2017 wildfires (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Tourism, Santa Rosa (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Regional Parks, Spring Lake Regional Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Regional Parks, Joe Rodota Trail (accessed 2026-10-27)
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