Weather Words: Frost Heave

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Winter may be fading, but its effects can linger beneath the soil, creating quite a mess. Frost heave happens when frozen ground thaws unevenly, causing the soil to shift, expand, and sometimes push upward. This happens because the water trapped in the ground freezes and expands in cold weather, then contracts when it thaws. Over time, this cycle can wreak havoc on roads, sidewalks, and even building foundations. It can cause the concrete to crack and as the soil pushes upward, the road and sidewalk can become uneven.

In late winter and early spring, frost heave becomes more noticeable as warming temperatures melt the frozen ground from the top down. This not only impacts pavement, but farmers also keep a close eye on frost heave, as it can damage plant roots and disrupt early spring planting. It’s one of nature’s hidden forces, shaping the landscape long after the last snowflake falls.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.