Maine cold wave risk
Aroostook County has the highest cold wave risk in Maine, scoring 97.6 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aroostook County | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| 2 | Piscataquis County | 92.8 | Relatively High |
| 3 | Somerset County | 91.8 | Relatively High |
| 4 | Oxford County | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| 5 | Hancock County | 66.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| 6 | Franklin County | 64 | Relatively Low |
| 7 | Penobscot County | 62.6 | Relatively Low |
| 8 | Cumberland County | 60.7 | Relatively Low |
| 9 | Waldo County | 60.4 | Relatively Low |
| 10 | Washington County | 55.5 | Relatively Low |
| 11 | York County | 47.2 | Relatively Low |
| 12 | Kennebec County | 43.5 | Relatively Low |
| 13 | Androscoggin County | 39.6 | Relatively Low |
| 14 | Knox County | 28 | Relatively Low |
| 15 | Lincoln County | 24.1 | Relatively Low |
| 16 | Sagadahoc County | 15.3 | Very 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 Maine:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in Maine?
Aroostook County, ME has the highest cold wave risk in Maine, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 97.6 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in Maine?
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.