Maryland cold wave risk
Baltimore has the highest cold wave risk in Maryland, scoring 96.9 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| 2 | Baltimore County | 89.3 | Relatively High |
| 3 | Montgomery County | 86.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| 4 | Prince George's County | 77.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| 5 | Worcester County | 70 | Relatively Moderate |
| 6 | Harford County | 69.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| 7 | Anne Arundel County | 66.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| 8 | Wicomico County | 59.7 | Relatively Low |
| 9 | Somerset County | 53.4 | Relatively Low |
| 10 | Howard County | 53.2 | Relatively Low |
| 11 | Cecil County | 52.7 | Relatively Low |
| 12 | Caroline County | 48.9 | Relatively Low |
| 13 | Dorchester County | 44.8 | Relatively Low |
| 14 | Carroll County | 43.9 | Relatively Low |
| 15 | Talbot County | 41 | Relatively Low |
| 16 | Washington County | 32.8 | Relatively Low |
| 17 | Frederick County | 32.3 | Relatively Low |
| 18 | Garrett County | 29.8 | Relatively Low |
| 19 | St. Mary's County | 28.8 | Relatively Low |
| 20 | Calvert County | 26.6 | Relatively Low |
| 21 | Queen Anne's County | 23.9 | Relatively Low |
| 22 | Kent County | 23.8 | Very Low |
| 23 | Charles County | 17.6 | Very Low |
| 24 | Allegany County | 16.2 | 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 Maryland:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in Maryland?
Baltimore, MD has the highest cold wave risk in Maryland, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.9 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in Maryland?
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.