Cold Wave
A Cold Wave is a rapid fall in temperature within 24 hours and extreme low temperatures for an extended period. The temperatures classified as a cold wave are dependent on the location and defined by the local National Weather Service (NWS) weather forecast office.
In the National Risk Index, a Cold Wave Risk Index score and rating represent a community's relative risk for Cold Waves when compared to the rest of the United States. A Cold Wave Expected Annual Loss score and rating represent a community's relative level of expected building, population, and agriculture loss each year due to Cold Waves when compared to the rest of the United States.
Cold Wave Exposure
A Cold Wave exposure value represents a community's building value (in dollars), population (in both people and population equivalence), and agriculture value (in dollars) exposed to Cold Waves.
Cold Wave Annualized Frequency
A Cold Wave annualized frequency value represents the average number of recorded Cold Wave hazard occurrences (event-days) per year over the period of record (16.9 years).
Source Data
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Weather Alerts compiled and archived by Iowa State University's Iowa Environmental Mesonet
Cold Wave Historic Loss Ratio
A Cold Wave historic loss ratio is the representative percentage of the exposed consequence type value (building, population, or agriculture) expected to be lost due to a Cold Wave hazard occurrence.
Cold Wave Processing Methodology
For comprehensive details about the Cold Wave processing methodology, see the National Risk Index Technical Documentation.