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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
  • Air District allocates $1.3 million to improve air quality in West Contra Costa County schools
    June 04, 2025

    The Air District's Board of Directors approved allocating $4 million in Community Air Protection Incentives funding to support home and school air filtration programs in Bay Area communities at their June 4 meeting. As part of this initiative, the Air District Board authorized up to $1.3 million of upgrades in public schools in Richmond, North Richmond, San Pablo, and Tara Hills. An additional $1.7 million will be used to expand air filtration upgrades in schools in Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco, and $1 million will be allocated to the Air District’s Home Air Filtration program.

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  • Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Thursday
    June 04, 2025

    The Air District is extending an air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires in the Bay Area through Thursday, June 5. Smoke from various Canadian wildfires in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba is expected to impact air quality in the Bay Area through Thursday. Conditions can change rapidly and the amount and location of smoke at ground level are hard to predict. The public can check for real-time smoke pollution levels in their local area with the U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map. Smoky, hazy skies may be visible, the smell of smoke is possible, and air quality may become unhealthy through Thursday, June 5.

    Learn More
  • Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Wednesday
    June 03, 2025

    The Air District is extending an air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires in the Bay Area through Wednesday, June 4. Smoke from various Canadian wildfires in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is expected to impact air quality in the Bay Area through Wednesday. Conditions can change rapidly and the amount and location of smoke at ground level are hard to predict. The public can check for real-time smoke pollution levels in their local area with the U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map. Smoky, hazy skies may be visible, the smell of smoke is possible, and air quality may become unhealthy through Wednesday, June 4.

    Learn More
  • Air District issues air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Monday and Tuesday
    June 02, 2025

    The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires in the Bay Area for Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3. Smoke from various Canadian wildfires in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba is expected to impact air quality in parts of the Bay Area on Monday and Tuesday. Conditions can change rapidly and the amount and location of smoke at ground level is hard to predict. The public can check for real-time smoke pollution levels in their local area with the U.S. EPA's Fire and Smoke Map. Smoky, hazy skies may be visible, the smell of smoke is possible and air quality may become unhealthy on Monday and Tuesday.

    Learn More
Other News Articles

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. 

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

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Last Updated: 4/21/2017