Rhode Island cold wave risk
Providence County has the highest cold wave risk in Rhode Island, scoring 90.6 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence County | 90.6 | Relatively High |
| 2 | Kent County | 38.8 | Relatively Low |
| 3 | Washington County | 24.7 | Relatively Low |
| 4 | Newport County | 18.7 | Very Low |
| 5 | Bristol County | 13.2 | 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 Rhode Island:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in Rhode Island?
Providence County, RI has the highest cold wave risk in Rhode Island, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.6 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in Rhode Island?
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.