Weather & Climate in Rutherford, CA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Rutherford enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 326 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 28.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 184 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	48°F (9°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	184 ft (56 m)
Area	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density	53/sq mi
Coordinates	38.4589°N, 122.4288°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Napa County County
Nearest Airport	Sacramento International (SMF) 48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.4"

25% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 7.24"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	38.5 / 100
Community Resilience	76.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Drought	Very High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate
Tsunami	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,277 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Aug 24, 2014	The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake	M6.0	29 km	11 km
Aug 10, 2016	20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California	M5.1	102 km	14 km
Sep 3, 2000	5 km WSW of Yountville, California	M4.9	9 km	9 km
Sep 4, 1995	13 km SW of Middletown, California	M4.8	37 km	7 km
Apr 18, 2007	15 km N of Potter Valley, California	M4.8	126 km	5 km
May 12, 2006	7 km W of Cobb, California	M4.7	52 km	4 km
May 21, 1996	8 km ESE of East Foothills, California	M4.7	137 km	8 km
Aug 11, 1993	14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California	M4.7	144 km	9 km
Jan 2, 2025	4 km NW of Cobb, CA	M4.7	52 km	1 km
Aug 18, 1999	0 km S of Bolinas, California	M4.6	65 km	8 km
Jan 11, 2000	6 km N of Geyserville, California	M4.6	55 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2004	4 km WNW of Cobb, California	M4.6	51 km	3 km
Jan 12, 2014	8 km W of Cobb, California	M4.5	52 km	2 km
Sep 25, 2012	3 km N of Talmage, California	M4.5	102 km	11 km
Aug 3, 2006	5 km W of Glen Ellen, California	M4.5	18 km	9 km
Jun 8, 2024	7 km NW of The Geysers, CA	M4.5	52 km	4 km
Sep 19, 1992	7 km NW of Cobb, California	M4.5	55 km	3 km
Apr 24, 2007	7 km WSW of Cobb, California	M4.5	49 km	2 km
Jun 3, 2023	2km NW of The Geysers, CA	M4.5	48 km	4 km
Mar 14, 2013	5 km W of Cobb, California	M4.4	50 km	1 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 7, 1978	EF2	89 km	1.9 mi	0
Jun 1, 1958	EF2	52 km	15.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 2012	EF1	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 18, 2011	EF1	24 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 23, 2010	EF1	84 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 20, 2005	EF1	90 km	3.0 mi	0
Jan 27, 2005	EF1	63 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 5, 1998	EF1	24 km	1.5 mi	0
Dec 23, 1996	EF1	50 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 22, 1996	EF1	28 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	42 km	7.5 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	36 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1992	EF1	36 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 22, 1983	EF1	98 km	2.0 mi	0
Feb 27, 1983	EF1	24 km	0.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 1964	EF1	33 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 17, 1959	EF1	72 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	94 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 8, 2022	EF0	98 km	0.8 mi	0
Sep 28, 2019	EF0	61 km	1.7 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1868	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	4.5 m	30	89 km
1856	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.6 m	—	107 km
1906	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	0.1 m	—	85 km
1865	N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	148 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (64 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Clear Lake	Volcanic field	1,439 m (4,721 ft)	Unknown	64 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANCH (427,048 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	RANCH	427,048	95 km
2020	HENNESSEY	314,241	22 km
2015	ROCKY	96,125	50 km
2018	COUNTY	92,450	35 km
1996	FORK	83,209	87 km
2019	KINCADE	77,780	38 km
2015	VALLEY	77,507	40 km
2020	GLASS	68,020	15 km
2017	NUNS	56,883	14 km
2020	WALLBRIDGE	55,194	53 km
2017	ATLAS	51,664	20 km
2018	RIVER	48,920	84 km
2004	RUMSEY	39,335	36 km
1999	SIXTEEN	37,162	39 km
2017	TUBBS	36,981	25 km
1988	MILLER	35,750	29 km
2012	MILL	29,924	97 km
2017	POCKET	18,691	53 km
2012	SIXTEEN COMPLEX	18,191	62 km
2006	ZAM ASSIST	14,404	56 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	48°F (9°C)	7.2 in	Wettest
February	50°F (10°C)	5.8 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.7 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	0.7 in
June	67°F (19°C)	0.2 in
July	70°F (21°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	68°F (20°C)	0.5 in
October	62°F (17°C)	1.9 in
November	53°F (11°C)	4.9 in
December	47°F (8°C)	5.4 in	Coldest

Rutherford has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 47°F in December to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 33.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.2") and July the driest (0.0").

View full profile of Rutherford, CA →