All Countries
Weather & Climate in Sonoma State University, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sonoma State University enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 25.6 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 157 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 58.0°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,660/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3406°N, 122.6729°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Sonoma County County |
| Nearest Airport | Metro Oakland International (OAK) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,202 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 | 34 km | 11 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Upper Lake, California | M5.1 | 111 km | 14 km |
| Sep 3, 2000 | 5 km WSW of Yountville, California | M4.9 | 23 km | 9 km |
| Sep 4, 1995 | 13 km SW of Middletown, California | M4.8 | 39 km | 7 km |
| Apr 18, 2007 | 15 km N of Potter Valley, California | M4.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2006 | 7 km W of Cobb, California | M4.7 | 54 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 | 57 km | 1 km |
| Aug 18, 1999 | 0 km S of Bolinas, California | M4.6 | 48 km | 8 km |
| Jan 11, 2000 | 6 km N of Geyserville, California | M4.6 | 52 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2004 | 4 km WNW of Cobb, California | M4.6 | 56 km | 3 km |
| Jan 12, 2014 | 8 km W of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 54 km | 2 km |
| Sep 25, 2012 | 3 km N of Talmage, California | M4.5 | 101 km | 11 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 5 km W of Glen Ellen, California | M4.5 | 8 km | 9 km |
| Jun 8, 2024 | 7 km NW of The Geysers, CA | M4.5 | 54 km | 4 km |
| Sep 19, 1992 | 7 km NW of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 59 km | 3 km |
| Apr 24, 2007 | 7 km WSW of Cobb, California | M4.5 | 52 km | 2 km |
| Jun 3, 2023 | 2km NW of The Geysers, CA | M4.5 | 51 km | 4 km |
| Mar 14, 2013 | 5 km W of Cobb, California | M4.4 | 53 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
34 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 1, 1958 | EF2 | 28 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2011 | EF1 | 13 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 23, 2010 | EF1 | 93 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 2005 | EF1 | 80 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 27, 2005 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 1998 | EF1 | 12 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1996 | EF1 | 25 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1996 | EF1 | 24 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1992 | EF1 | 27 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1992 | EF1 | 21 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1992 | EF1 | 15 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1983 | EF1 | 12 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1964 | EF1 | 24 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1959 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1958 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2019 | EF0 | 85 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2016 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2014 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2011 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF0 | 100 km | 1.1 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 | 87 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 99 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 73 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 144 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (71 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Clear Lake | Volcanic field | 1,439 m (4,721 ft) | Unknown | 71 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HENNESSEY (314,241 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | HENNESSEY | 314,241 | 46 km |
| 2015 | ROCKY | 96,125 | 66 km |
| 2018 | COUNTY | 92,450 | 59 km |
| 1996 | FORK | 83,209 | 96 km |
| 2019 | KINCADE | 77,780 | 38 km |
| 2015 | VALLEY | 77,507 | 50 km |
| 2020 | GLASS | 68,020 | 26 km |
| 2017 | NUNS | 56,883 | 15 km |
| 2020 | WALLBRIDGE | 55,194 | 43 km |
| 2017 | ATLAS | 51,664 | 38 km |
| 2018 | RIVER | 48,920 | 85 km |
| 2004 | RUMSEY | 39,335 | 58 km |
| 1999 | SIXTEEN | 37,162 | 60 km |
| 2017 | TUBBS | 36,981 | 25 km |
| 1988 | MILLER | 35,750 | 51 km |
| 2017 | 18,691 | 51 km | |
| 2012 | SIXTEEN COMPLEX | 18,191 | 81 km |
| 2006 | ZAM ASSIST | 14,404 | 81 km |
| 2008 | WALKER | 12,441 | 82 km |
| 2004 | GEYSERS | 12,075 | 44 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 | 51°F (11°C) | 6.3 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 62°F (16°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 5.3 in | Coldest |
Sonoma State University has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 47°F in December to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 34.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (7.2") and July the driest (0.1").