Connecticut heat wave risk
Capitol Planning Region has the highest heat wave risk in Connecticut, scoring 96.4 out of 100 — rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA's National Risk Index. Recorded heat wave events across Connecticut have decreased 34% over the past five years compared to the prior five-year period.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
NOAA events 2016–2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitol Planning Region | 96.4 | Relatively Moderate | 1 |
| 2 | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 85.4 | Relatively Moderate | 2 |
| 3 | Western Connecticut Planning Region | 84 | Relatively Moderate | 3 |
| 4 | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 80.7 | Relatively Moderate | 8 |
| 5 | Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 77.6 | Relatively Low | 4 |
| 6 | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 71.3 | Relatively Low | 0 |
| 7 | Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 49.7 | Relatively Low | 1 |
| 8 | Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 42.2 | Relatively Low | 3 |
| 9 | Northwest Hills Planning Region | 30.8 | Very Low | 31 |
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.
Heat Wave risk nationally:
Other hazard risks in Connecticut:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest heat wave risk county in Connecticut?
Capitol Planning Region, CT has the highest heat wave risk in Connecticut, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.4 out of 100 (rated "Relatively Moderate").
What causes heat wave risk in Connecticut?
Heat is consistently the leading cause of weather-related mortality in the US, yet it remains underrepresented in federal disaster declarations relative to its actual impact. High scores reflect a combination of extreme temperature exposure, population vulnerability (elderly, outdoor workers), and limited access to cooling infrastructure.