Sonoma Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Sonoma grew up around its 8-acre plaza, billed as California's largest town square. The town sits at the south end of the Sonoma Valley, where the vineyards open toward Carneros and San Pablo Bay. Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of California's 21 missions, and the Sonoma Barracks face the plaza as units of Sonoma State Historic Park. The town was also the site of the Bear Flag Revolt.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Sonoma weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at Sonoma right now (feels like 51°F), with 5 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Today's forecast high at Sonoma is 59°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Sonoma. In November, 23% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 52°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 58).
August is the warmest month at Sonoma, with an average high of 84°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. December is the wettest month (6.3 in.), out of about 30.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sonoma are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October.
Sonoma is the valley town closest to San Pablo Bay, and that sets it apart from Glen Ellen and Kenwood farther north. On summer afternoons, breezes off the bay drift north across the flat Carneros vineyards and into town, taking the edge off the heat. By the time that air reaches Glen Ellen and Kenwood up the valley, it has warmed and weakened.
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 Sonoma in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Sonoma. In November, 23% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 52°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 58).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Sonoma, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 74. Wednesday looks weakest (50).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (72%, about 0.36 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Sonoma right now
Overcast and 54° at Sonoma right now.
About the live weather map for Sonoma
The map centers on Sonoma 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.
Sonoma vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Sonoma, 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 Sonoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma Valley Regional Park | 5.7 mi | +2°F | 25% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Glen Ellen | 6 mi | +2°F | 25% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Jack London State Historic Park | 6.3 mi | same | 31% | 7 mph | more summer morning fog (31% vs 21% of morning hours) |
| San Pablo | 23.6 mi | -11°F | 29% | 10 mph | about 11°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Samuel P. Taylor State Park | 23.6 mi | -10°F | 32% | 9 mph | about 10°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (32% vs 21% of morning hours) |
| Point Reyes Station | 24.5 mi | -12°F | 19% | 11 mph | about 12°F cooler on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Sonoma's
- American Canyon (13 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Portola Valley (64 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Mission Peak Regional Preserve (62 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Sonoma climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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.
Sonoma weather by month
August is the warmest month at Sonoma, with an average high of 84°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. December is the wettest month (6.3 in.), out of about 30.5 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 34% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 8% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sonoma are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 39°F | 5.9 in | 10 | 29% | 35% | 5 mph | 9.8 h | 40 |
| Feb | 60°F | 41°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 19% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.7 h | 50 |
| Mar | 64°F | 42°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 19% | 31% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 67 |
| Apr | 68°F | 45°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 14% | 25% | 9 mph | 13.2 h | 78 |
| May | 73°F | 48°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 13% | 21% | 10 mph | 14.3 h | 81 |
| Jun | 80°F | 52°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 14% | 9% | 11 mph | 14.8 h | 82 |
| Jul | 83°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 26% | 8% | 10 mph | 14.6 h | 82 |
| Aug | 84°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 22% | 9% | 9 mph | 13.6 h | 83 |
| Sep | 83°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 24% | 13% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 86 |
| Oct | 76°F | 49°F | 1.6 in | 5 | 20% | 16% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2 in | 8 | 23% | 23% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 70 |
| Dec | 56°F | 39°F | 6.3 in | 11 | 34% | 39% | 5 mph | 9.5 h | 37 |
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 Sonoma's weather different
When the fog burns off
2 PMwhen December fog usually thins (38% foggy at 7 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Sonoma in 38% of 7 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–October
From March through October, wind at Sonoma typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 15% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Hot hours
2 habove 85°F on a typical July afternoon
In July, the average temperature stays at or above 85°F for 2 hours a day.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Sonoma 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 Sonoma
- Warm seasonJun 28 – Sep 26 · highs 81°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 28 to Sep 26, when the average high is 81°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 84°F.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 28 · highs 62°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 28, when the average high is 62°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 1, with an average low near 39°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 28 – Apr 12 · 87% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 28 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 20 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, Sonoma averaged 25 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 4 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 108 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (101°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (30°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (3.95 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 37 mph on Feb 13, 2025.
- 25days at 90°F or hotter
- 4nights at or below freezing
- 20days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 108mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day101°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night30°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day3.95 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust37 mphFeb 13, 2025
What shapes Sonoma's weather
Sonoma Mountain, west of town, blocks most direct Pacific air. That leaves Sonoma sunnier and less foggy than Petaluma across the mountain, with the Mayacamas foothills rising directly behind the plaza to the east.
On clear winter nights, cold air slides off the surrounding hills and settles on the flat ground south of town toward the bay marshes. Low clouds or fog can sit over Carneros after rain. Winter days stay mild, but those still nights can be cold.
Tips for visiting Sonoma
Tour the historic park by the plaza
Sonoma State Historic Park's sites are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Parking is behind the Barracks.
Walk to Vallejo's home
General Vallejo's home, Lachryma Montis, at 363 Third Street West, is also part of the state historic park, a short walk from the plaza.
Plan around summer afternoons
Summer is Sonoma's warmest season. Walk the plaza in the morning and save the museums and indoor tastings for midafternoon.
Sign up for SoCoAlert
Sign up before a summer or fall visit to get the county's wildfire, flood, and evacuation alerts through SoCoAlert and Nixle.
Sonoma through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings mild days as the vineyards leaf out and the hills behind town stay green.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is the warmest season, softened by southern breezes off San Pablo Bay, with comfortable nights.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall is harvest time and a popular season to visit, with some of the warmest afternoons of the year.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter brings mild days, chilly nights, and most of the year's rain. On still, clear nights the low ground south of town can freeze.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Exploring the plaza and historic sites: The plaza is good year-round. Summer mornings are best for walking before the afternoon heat.
- Cycling into Carneros: The roads south of town are flat. On breezy summer afternoons, expect a headwind riding south toward the bay and a push on the way back.
- Wine tasting around town: Spring and fall are most comfortable. On hot summer days book shaded patios or indoor tastings for the afternoon.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Sonoma State Historic Park
- Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma
- Sonoma County emergency alerts (SoCoAlert)
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 | 78 | 63° / 43.2° | 6.1h | 5d | 12.5" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 68 | 58.5° / 42.4° | 4.7h | 14d | 8.4" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 59.9° / 39.1° | 7h | 7d | 0.33" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 61.2° / 42° | 6h | 6d | 12.32" | 14 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 62.2° / 43.3° | 7.6h | 5d | 3.34" | 20 |
| April 2025 | 89 | 68.5° / 45.7° | 9.6h | 9d | 0.56" | 27 |
| May 2025 | 93 | 76.7° / 49° | 12.2h | 2d | 0.16" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 78.8° / 50.3° | 12.4h | 2d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 93 | 79.4° / 53.3° | 12h | 4d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 91 | 85.9° / 53.8° | 11.5h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| September 2025 | 89 | 82.1° / 56.7° | 9.5h | 3d | 0.09" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 85 | 73.5° / 50.2° | 7.3h | 7d | 1.35" | 24 |
| November 2025 | 78 | 64° / 47.6° | 6.1h | 13d | 4.88" | 16 |
| December 2025 | 60 | 54° / 42.3° | 3.8h | 22d | 6.6" | 5 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 59.8° / 40.5° | 6.5h | 9d | 5.32" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 78 | 63.6° / 44.3° | 6.3h | 7d | 5.1" | 17 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 77.4° / 48° | 9.8h | 0d | 0.03" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 87 | 68.5° / 46.8° | 9.1h | 5d | 4.28" | 23 |
| May 2026 | 91 | 74.4° / 51.1° | 11.5h | 4d | 0.99" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 93 | 80.8° / 53.3° | 12.6h | 2d | 0" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 92 | 83.4° / 54.1° | 11.7h | 4d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 91 | 83.9° / 53.8° | 10.7h | 4d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 81.2° / 52.7° | 9.7h | 6d | 0.41" | 27 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 79.7° / 47.9° | 8.5h | 3d | 0.29" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Sonoma climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Sonoma, 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 Sonoma. 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 Sonoma, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (86°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (44°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Sonoma in 38% of 7 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (13%).
- Wind: From March through October, wind at Sonoma typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 15% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Sonoma (8% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (39%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Sonoma comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 983 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Sonoma
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Sonoma 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 Sonoma. 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Sonoma averaged a high of 80°F, 4°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 76°F. It brought 0.29 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.58 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 29.0 in. of rain to Sonoma, 95% of the 30.5 in. normal.
Location Details
Sonoma weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Sonoma
What is the weather like at Sonoma today?
It's 54°F at Sonoma right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Today's forecast high at Sonoma is 59°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 52°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Sonoma?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Sonoma are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 28 to Sep 26, 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 Sonoma?
August is the warmest month at Sonoma, with an average high of 84°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F.
When does the fog burn off at Sonoma?
Fog or low cloud covers Sonoma in 38% of 7 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When is it windiest at Sonoma?
From March through October, wind at Sonoma typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 15% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Sonoma get?
December is the wettest month (6.3 in.), out of about 30.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 28 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 29.0 in. of rain to Sonoma, 95% of the 30.5 in. normal.
What kind of place is Sonoma?
Sonoma grew up around its 8-acre plaza, billed as California's largest town square. The town sits at the south end of the Sonoma Valley, where the vineyards open toward Carneros and San Pablo Bay. Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of California's 21 missions, and the Sonoma Barracks face the plaza as units of Sonoma State Historic Park. The town was also the site of the Bear Flag Revolt.
What is Sonoma weather like in November?
November at Sonoma averages a high of 64°F and a low of 43°F, with 3.2 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 23% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Sonoma weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
- Sonoma Weather Guide: How Wine Country's Climate Differs from Napa
- Wine Country Harvest Season Weather: Napa and Sonoma Crush Guide
- Wine Country Weather: Napa and Sonoma Explained
- Napa & Sonoma Day Trip: Best Weather Months to Visit Wine Country
- Red Flag Warning vs. Fire Weather Watch: What Each Alert Level Means
- What Does a Fire Weather Warning Mean? Terms and Thresholds Explained
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.
- California State Parks, Sonoma State Historic Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Emergency Management, SoCoEmergency (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma County Winegrowers, About Sonoma County Terroir (PDF) (accessed 2026-10-27)
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