Seasonal freezing and thawing of soil play a fundamental role in shaping ecosystems and influencing a range of ecological processes. From altering hydrological regimes and nutrient dynamics to affecting plant growth, microbial activity and carbon cycling, these seasonal changes in soil temperature have far-reaching consequences.

The SMOS Level 3 Soil Freeze and Thaw status product Version 2 has been operational distributed from the ESA SMOS dissemination service since April 2020, providing daily information on the Northern Hemisphere soil state with a one-day latency from satellite sensing time.  

A new product Version 3 will be available from ESA on 30 October 2023, including several scientific enhancements and product format update, all of which are detailed in the accompanying documentation.

The users are invited to consult the new version of the Product Description Document and the Read me first note  for a smooth integration of the SMOS Level 3 Soil Freeze and Thaw status product Version 3 in their studies and applications.