PERMAFROST (SOIL) The Arctic and Antartic Tundras are most greatly affected by permafrost. Subsoil remains permanently frozen, disrupting plant growth in the area. The ground remains extremely cold and dry. The soil is frozen from 25–90 cm. During the summer, temperatures rise somewhat, and the top layer of the permafrost melts, leaving the ground very soggy. The permafrost thaws just enough to let plants grow and reproduce, but because the ground below this is frozen, the water cannot sink any lower, and so the water forms the lakes and marshes found during the summer months.
WINDS Strong winds dominate the Tundra year round. Speeds can reach upto 50–100 km/h (30–60 mph).
TEMPERATURE & SEASONS Summer usually lasts from June to September at about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. In the winter it goes from October to May at below freezing temperatures. The average winter temperature of arctic tundra is -34 degree Celsius and average summer temperature is 3-12 degree Celsius
PRECIPITATION Most of the precipitation i in the form of hail or snow, limiting water availability for plants to use. The Alpine is most suitable for plant growth due the water drainage in the soil that it has. Precipitation is usually less than 15 inches annually, and maximum precipitation is at 25 inches.