Cold Wave Risk in Maryland
All Maryland counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index cold wave score
Cold Wave risk — prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures — is rated for 24 of 24 Maryland counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Baltimore City carries the state's highest cold wave score at 96.9, with $12M in expected annual cold wave losses.
2 Maryland counties are rated High or Very High for cold wave, and expected annual losses from cold wave total roughly $50M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Cold Wave
| # | County | Cold Wave Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore City | High | 1.50 / yr | $12M | |
| 2 | Baltimore County | High | 1.57 / yr | $7M | |
| 3 | Montgomery County | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $6M | |
| 4 | Prince George's County | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $3M | |
| 5 | Worcester County | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $2M | |
| 6 | Harford County | Medium | 1.60 / yr | $3M | |
| 7 | Anne Arundel County | Medium | 1.22 / yr | $3M | |
| 8 | Wicomico County | Low | 1.05 / yr | $2M | |
| 9 | Somerset County | Low | 1.05 / yr | $867K | |
| 10 | Howard County | Low | 1.60 / yr | $2M | |
| 11 | Cecil County | Low | 0.84 / yr | $1M | |
| 12 | Caroline County | Low | 0.79 / yr | $787K | |
| 13 | Dorchester County | Low | 1.05 / yr | $687K | |
| 14 | Carroll County | Low | 1.69 / yr | $1M | |
| 15 | Talbot County | Low | 0.79 / yr | $662K | |
| 16 | Washington County | Low | 1.90 / yr | $465K | |
| 17 | Frederick County | Low | 1.79 / yr | $710K | |
| 18 | Garrett County | Low | 5.36 / yr | $386K | |
| 19 | St. Mary's County | Low | 1.05 / yr | $654K | |
| 20 | Calvert County | Low | 1.05 / yr | $603K | |
| 21 | Queen Anne's County | Low | 0.79 / yr | $338K | |
| 22 | Kent County | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $278K | |
| 23 | Charles County | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $298K | |
| 24 | Allegany County | Very Low | 4.15 / yr | $124K |
24 Maryland counties with measurable cold wave risk. See the national cold wave ranking or all Maryland counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maryland county has the highest cold wave risk?
Baltimore City has the highest FEMA cold wave risk score in Maryland at 96.9 (High), with $12M in expected annual losses and about 1.50 events per year.
How many Maryland counties face significant cold wave risk?
24 Maryland counties record measurable cold wave risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 2 of them are rated High or Very High.