Modifications of a land surface scheme for improved simulation of ground freeze‐thaw in northern environments

Freezing and thawing front (FTF) depths have implications for surface and subsurface exchanges of energy and water, vegetation growth and organic matter decomposition. Long‐term changes in FTF depths are an important indicator of climate change. The FTF is seldom represented explicitly in land surface schemes, but the 0°C isotherm is used as a surrogate for the front. However, when multiple FTFs occur within a soil column or when soil …