Cryic (Gr. kryos, coldness; meaning very cold soils).--Soils in this temperature regime have a mean annual temperature higher than 0°C but lower than 8°C.

1. In mineral soils, the mean summer soil temperature (June, July, and August in the northern hemisphere and December, January, and February in the southern hemisphere) either at a depth of 50 cm from the soil surface or at a densic, lithic, or paralithic contact, whichever is shallower, is as follows:
   1. If the soil is not saturated with water during some part of the summer and
      (1) If there is no O horizon: lower than 15°C; or

      (2) If there is an O horizon: lower than 8°C; or

   2. If the soil is saturated with water during some part of the summer and
      (1) If there is no O horizon: lower than 13°C; or

      (2) If there is an O horizon or a histic epipedon: lower than 6°C.

2. In organic soils, the soil is either:
   1. Frozen in some layer within the control section in most years 2 months after the summer solstice; i.e., the soil is very cold in winter but warms up slightly in summer; or

   2. Not frozen in most years below a depth of 5 cm from the soil surface; i.e., the soil is cold throughout the year but, because of marine influence, does not freeze in most years.

Cryic soils that have an aquic moisture regime commonly are churned by frost. All isofrigid (see below) soils without permafrost are considered to have a cryic temperature regime.

8/10/98