Influence of Snow Cover on Soil temperature and Freeze Thaw Cycles across the United States

Changes in soil temperature, as a result of a warmer climate, will have profound effects on cold regions ecosystems. It is hypothesized that reduced snow cover can result in lower soil temperatures, more extensive soil freezing, and an increased frequency of soil freeze-thaw cycles. The objective of this research project is to investigate whether these hypotheses are supported by recent soil and meteorological observations, from monitoring stations across the United States, with seasonally freezing and thawing ground. This data set will be used to support the project titled 'Winter Soil Processes in Transition', which is Pillar 1-2 project under the Global Water Futures Program funded by Canada First Research Excellence Fund.