Weather & Average Temperatures
Santa Rosa Weather
Santa Rosa has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Couple-Hiking-in-Redwoods.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7c8203753ef1d78357714a3d519a2f62 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Couple-Hiking-in-Redwoods.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d09b2582453063c50e59f98b1a306b8a 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Couple-Hiking-in-Redwoods.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=52235b40915b004a55d2241444615499 600w)
Weather
Santa Rosa has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
In the summer, fog and low overcast often move in from the Pacific Ocean during the late evenings or early mornings. It usually clears up to warm, sunny weather by late morning or noon before returning but will occasionally linger all day.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/Couple-Looking-at-Ocean-View-Bodega-Head.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5740114b4007b45e323d6ed1880540c1 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/Couple-Looking-at-Ocean-View-Bodega-Head.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2435daddda9fd17d936eb0948997b116 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/Couple-Looking-at-Ocean-View-Bodega-Head.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5693b3794e0bb7d1886b58acfa0d4d0b 600w)
Pro Tip: Season Suite
On average there are 256 sunny days in Santa Rosa, well over the US average of 205. During “bud break” season (spring) rain starts to disappear, and temperatures range from a low of 42F (5.5C) to an average high during the day of 70F (21C). In the “event” season (summer) there is almost no rain and the average low is 51F (10.5C) and the average high is 83F (28C). During “crush” (fall) the average low is 48F (9C) while the average high is 80F (26.7 C). In the “value” season of winter, there are far fewer crowds, the rain is the heaviest, and the temperatures range on average from a low of 38F (3.3C) to a high of around 60F (15.5C).
Fashion
While the dress in Sonoma County is fashionable, we are also casual. The sight of a full suit and tie is rarer than the 100-point wine. Most daily activities can be done in shorts, skirts, jeans, and flip-flops. While our events cover all ranges, the most common fashion style is either resort or business casual.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Paradise-Ridge-Winery-Couple-Wine-Tasting-in-Barrel-Room.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=447453eefa594399103c524a4777b4eb 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Paradise-Ridge-Winery-Couple-Wine-Tasting-in-Barrel-Room.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4701f23ae31fd4f8601a975dbf9c5896 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Paradise-Ridge-Winery-Couple-Wine-Tasting-in-Barrel-Room.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2151c63e7803cbc17112a7de8916d393 600w)
Pro Tip: Dress in Layers
The key to Sonoma County can be summed up in three words: layers, layers, layers. Dressing for what the grapes love is key. The grapes love warm days and cool nights and that is what we have. The size of Sonoma County also matters. Covering multiple wine AVA and regions (microclimates anyone), the weather can catch you by surprise and layering is a way to enjoy the cooler coast and warmer inland areas all on the same day. A key tip is bringing a sweater or jacket if you are heading into any wine caves as our wineries love aging their wine in caves because the average cave temperature stays constant at around 55F-60F (13C-15.5C).
Wine Tasting
The best advice on wine tasting is to either bring a designated driver or take a tour. Wine tours can be customized for just two or can be coordinated for larger groups. Once you map out the wineries and timing, leave extra time for meals and just lingering. Many times, people get excited and try to cram in too many wineries in one day. Trust us, your pallet will get tired plus you will find at least one winery you just love, and now is the time to stay, linger and just enjoy wine country.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Paradise-Ridge-Winery-Group-Wine-Tasting-in-Vineyard.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7881cd6c41e7baf81c5f3d7cb88e5f3d 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Paradise-Ridge-Winery-Group-Wine-Tasting-in-Vineyard.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=264e5e640181c77057f153f61c6c9767 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/Paradise-Ridge-Winery-Group-Wine-Tasting-in-Vineyard.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=602df77af485cde8e2523a831352a2b5 600w)
Pro Tip: The Coastal Climate
At the Sonoma Coastline, prevailing wind currents create a strong upwelling of cooler subsurface ocean waters. When the marine layer meets with the colder waters along the Sonoma Coast, it cools to its dewpoint, and small particles of water droplets—fog—is formed. The temperature difference between the chilly coastal waters and the warm inland valleys creates a pressure gradient that turns the northwesterly flow to a westerly direction at the coastline, driving the cool marine layer and its clouds onshore through and over any gaps in the coastal mountain ranges during the warmer months.