District of Columbia cold wave risk
District of Columbia has the highest cold wave risk in District of Columbia, scoring 94.1 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 94.1 | Relatively High |
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 District of Columbia:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia, DC has the highest cold wave risk in District of Columbia, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.1 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in District of Columbia?
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.