Frost wedging is more important in cold climates. This physical weathering process occurs when water seeps into cracks in rocks and then freezes. As water freezes, it expands by about 9%, putting pressure on the surrounding rock. This cyclic freeze-thaw action can lead to the gradual breaking apart of rocks.
In warm climates, the temperatures generally remain above freezing, limiting the occurrence of freeze-thaw cycles. Consequently, frost wedging is most effective and prevalent in areas where temperatures fluctuate around the freezing point, allowing for repeated cycles of freezing and thawing.