Connecticut cold wave risk
Capitol Planning Region has the highest cold wave risk in Connecticut, scoring 94.8 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitol Planning Region | 94.8 | Relatively High |
| 2 | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 72.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| 3 | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 69.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| 4 | Western Connecticut Planning Region | 65.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| 5 | Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 51.3 | Relatively Low |
| 6 | Northwest Hills Planning Region | 50.3 | Relatively Low |
| 7 | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 42.9 | Relatively Low |
| 8 | Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 30.5 | Relatively Low |
| 9 | Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 27.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. Scores are 0–100 percentile rankings among all US counties. See the methodology page for definitions. Download the full CSV for all counties.
Cold Wave risk nationally:
Other hazard risks in Connecticut:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in Connecticut?
Capitol Planning Region, CT has the highest cold wave risk in Connecticut, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.8 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in Connecticut?
Cold wave risk captures expected losses from extended periods of extreme cold, including wind chill. The northern Plains, Great Lakes, and interior New England see the most severe and frequent cold events. Cold extremes cause significant excess mortality, especially among unhoused populations, the elderly, and those with inadequate heating or insulation. Cold and wind chill events are reported at forecast-zone level in NOAA Storm Events and are not included in county-level counts.