Massachusetts cold wave risk
Suffolk County has the highest cold wave risk in Massachusetts, scoring 94.2 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suffolk County | 94.2 | Relatively High |
| 2 | Worcester County | 92.4 | Relatively High |
| 3 | Middlesex County | 90.2 | Relatively High |
| 4 | Hampden County | 84.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| 5 | Essex County | 79.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| 6 | Norfolk County | 73.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| 7 | Berkshire County | 72.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| 8 | Bristol County | 67 | Relatively Moderate |
| 9 | Franklin County | 62.2 | Relatively Low |
| 10 | Plymouth County | 61.6 | Relatively Low |
| 11 | Hampshire County | 57.6 | Relatively Low |
| 12 | Barnstable County | 30.3 | Relatively Low |
| 13 | Dukes County | 5.6 | Very Low |
| 14 | Nantucket County | 4.3 | 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 Massachusetts:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in Massachusetts?
Suffolk County, MA has the highest cold wave risk in Massachusetts, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.2 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in Massachusetts?
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.