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About the Air District

Sonoma County

About the Air District
  1. Air District
  2. About the Air District
  3. In Your Community
  4. Sonoma County

Learn about Sonoma County - its climate, potential air pollution concerns, and current air quality. You can also view upcoming Air District events in Sonoma County and read about local efforts to improve air quality.

Sonoma County lies to the west of Lake and Napa counties, north of Marin County, and south of Mendocino County. The Air District only has jurisdiction over the southern portion of the county, which includes Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Sonoma. Two Sonoma County representatives sit on the Air District’s Board of Directors.


Latest News

  • Sep
    2 2

    September 22, 2023

    Air District extends Spare the Air Alert through Saturday

    The Air District is extending a Spare the Air Alert through Saturday, September 23, due to continued wildfire smoke impacts across the region.

  • Sep
    2 1

    September 21, 2023

    Air District extends Spare the Air Alert through Friday

    The Air District is extending a Spare the Air Alert through Friday, September 22, due to continued wildfire smoke impacts across the region.

  • Sep
    2 0

    September 20, 2023

    Air District issues Spare the Air Alert through Thursday

    The Air District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert due to wildfire smoke for Wednesday, September 20 through Thursday, September 21, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors.

  • Sep
    1 9

    September 19, 2023

    Air District issues air quality advisory through Wednesday

    The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Wednesday, September 20. Smoke from fires in Northern California and Oregon is expected to impact air quality throughout the Bay Area area, causing air quality to reach high-moderate on the U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index. Smoky, hazy skies may be visible and the smell of smoke is possible. Pollutant levels are NOT expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard and there is no Spare the Air Alert in effect.

Climate

Sonoma County’s climate is largely affected by the topography of the Petaluma, Cotati, and Sonoma valleys. Temperatures are similar in the Petaluma and Cotati valleys, while Sonoma Valley temperatures are warmer, similar to Napa Valley. Average daily temperatures range from moderate overnight to hot during the day in the summer, and cool overnight to moderate during the day in the winter. Wind patterns in the Petaluma and Cotati valleys are strongly influenced by the Petaluma Gap, with calm to mild winds typical in both Santa Rosa and Petaluma. During late afternoons in summer, fog is common in the Petaluma and Cotati valleys, and can persist until late morning the following day. Sunshine in the Sonoma Valley is plentiful. Annual rainfall ranges from 24 inches in Petaluma, 29 inches in Sonoma, and 30 inches in Santa Rosa.

Sonoma County’s climate is also affected by regional Bay Area climate influences. (icon) (PDF)

Interactive Air Monitoring Stations Map

Air Quality in Sonoma County

Ozone and fine particle pollution, or PM2.5, are the major regional air pollutants of concern in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ozone is primarily a problem in the summer, and fine particle pollution in the winter.

Although much of the interior of Sonoma County can get quite hot during summer, air monitoring results show that this area experiences some of the lowest ozone levels in the entire Bay Area. Gaps in the hills to the west allow fresh marine air inland on all but the hottest summer days.

PM2.5 can become elevated, particularly due to wood burning during the holiday season, but once again, air monitoring results show that this region has some of the lowest levels of PM2.5 in the entire Bay Area.

Interactive Air Quality Forecast Map

Spare the Air Status

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Last Updated: 2/14/2019