Snow in the Central Hardwoods region will decrease, with subsequent decreases in soil frost.

The Central Hardwoods Region is already experiencing a decline in snowfall, depth, and cover. Decreased snowfall and increased snowmelt from higher temperatures are projected to decrease the amount of snow on the ground in the region, and may make some locations snow-free in some years. In recent years, this reduction in snow cover has led to an increase in soil frost from decreased snow insulation. However, as temperatures increase in the coming decades, this pattern is projected to reverse, and far southern Illinois and Indiana may no longer experience freezing soil conditions by the end of the century.