Languages:
English

popular searches:

Refinery Rules, Climate, Asbestos
Public Data Center
Air Monitoring Data
Contact Us
  1. Air District
  2. About the Air District
  3. In Your Community
  4. Sonoma County
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 and Alameda County District Attorney announce enforcement actions against Radius Recycling, formerly Schnitzer Steel
    July 17, 2025

    The Air District and Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson filed a joint civil lawsuit against Radius Recycling, formerly Schnitzer Steel Industries, for air quality violations related to the fire at the company’s facility in West Oakland on August 9-10, 2023. In addition, previous enforcement actions by the Air District and the district attorney required Radius Recycling to install new equipment that has eliminated hundreds of tons of air pollution and reduced cancer risk by 84 percent since 2022; today the Air District finalized the operating permit for this important equipment. 

    Learn More
  • Air District lifts air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Monday
    July 14, 2025

    The Air District is lifting an air quality advisory for the Bay Area due to wildfire smoke that was originally scheduled to last through today, Monday, July 14. Over the weekend, smoke from the Butler and Green wildfires had been moving down the Sacramento Valley and impacting air quality in portions of the Bay Area. However, as of Monday morning, the Bay Area is experiencing strong onshore winds, and smoke has remained mostly outside of the region. Air quality has been in the Good Air Quality Index category. Moderate onshore winds are expected to continue into Tuesday, keeping the smoke outside of the Bay Area. As the week progresses, these onshore winds will turn southerly in northern California, and this also is expected to keep the smoke from moving towards our region.

    Learn More
  • Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Monday
    July 12, 2025

    The Air District is extending an air quality advisory for the Bay Area due to wildfire smoke from fires in northern Sacramento Valley through Monday, July 14. Smoke from the Butler and Green wildfires is still moving down the Sacramento Valley and is expected to continue to impact air quality in portions of the Bay Area on Sunday and Monday. Areas that are expected to be most impacted will be parts of the North Bay and East Bay and higher elevation locations. 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 at times on Sunday and Monday. 

    Learn More
  • Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Saturday
    July 11, 2025

    The Air District is extending an air quality advisory for the Bay Area due to wildfire smoke from fires in northern Sacramento Valley through Saturday, July 12. Smoke from the Butler and Green wildfires is moving down the Sacramento Valley and is expected to continue to impact air quality in portions of the Bay Area on Saturday. 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 at times on Saturday. 

     
    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

Spare the Air Status

Return

Last Updated: 4/21/2017