Global Annual Freezing and Thawing Indices

Data Contributors ZHANG, TINGJUN Z Parameters ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE > AIR TEMPERATURE SNOW/ICE > FREEZE/THAW SNOW/ICE > PERMAFROST SOILS > PERMAFROST Instruments THERMISTORS THERMOMETERS

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The total annual freezing and thawing indices are defined as the cumulative number of degree-days when air temperatures are below and above zero degrees Celsius. The total annual freezing index has been widely used to predict permafrost distribution; estimate the maximum thickness of sea, lake, and river ice, and the maximum depth of ground-frost penetration; and classify snow types. The annual total thawing index has been used to predict permafrost distribution and to estimate the maximum depth of thaw in frozen ground. Both total freezing and thawing indices are important parameters for engineering design in cold regions.

Data coverage is global. The data set contains the total annual freezing and thawing indices with a spatial resolution of 0.5 degrees latitude by 0.5 degrees longitude. Two data files are available, for the freeze and thaw indices respectively, in flat binary format. Each file is approximately 1 MB in size. The total annual freezing and thawing indexes were calculated based upon the monthly mean air temperature by Legates and Willmott (1990).

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Data Citation

The following example shows how to cite the use of this data set in a publication. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

Zhang, T.. 1998. Global Annual Freezing and Thawing Indices. [indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA: National Snow and Ice Data Center.

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