Lots of visitors aren't prepared for the variable temps. If it seems a little crazy just remember the climate here is why we make such fantastic wine.
Precipitation
Is very unlikely. The wet season is late autumn to mid-spring though rain can occasionally pop up outside of that time.
Diurnal Temperature Changes
This means the high to low temps for a day. They will vary more than you are probably used to meaning it could be chilly in the morning, hot in the afternoon, then cooling rapidly around sunset. Premium wine grapes love this!
The Fog
Many parts of coastal California get a marine layer of low clouds that come in off the relatively cool Pacific. Inland hot air rises allowing the cooler air off the ocean to first start up as a refreshing cool breeze then turn into the low clouds that the locals call fog. The marine layer might be there from early evening to late morning or not at all depending on where you are and the wind direction (W to SW cool & foggy; N to E hot & dry).
Microclimates
This means a small area has a distinctly different weather pattern from other nearby areas. On a typical summer day parts of the county will be hot while others quite chilly. Inland is warmer as you'd expect, but north is hotter than the southern part of the county as the coastal hills are taller to the north cutting off the cooler air from the Pacific. The best way to show this is from these different cities in Sonoma County. All temps are from the same time on the same day in late June.
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| Healdsburg and Bodega Bay are about 20 miles apart! |
Packing
If you should see someone wearing flip flops, shorts and a sweatshirt they are a local. They have dressed in layers and you should pack that way. Have a light jacket or sweatshirt for evenings and early mornings or trips to the coast. We are casual here to no need to pack anything fancy.
Weather.com
Is your friend. Check it for every locale you're going to visit.
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