Sand grains are not permanently immobilized by ground freezing. Pore-ice sublimation (see below for definition) releases sand grains from the surface. Under light winds, the released grains remain where they are in a growing dry layer of sand at the surface. Under strong winds, the released grains are quickly removed by the wind to leave a wind-swept frozen surface.

Sublimation is the change of state from solid to vapor without the substance (water) passing through the liquid phase (melting). Sublimation occurs at any temperature below freezing, although the rate of sublimation varies.

Strong winds, warmer temperatures, low humidity, and low initial surface moisture content are the conditions that will produce the largest amounts of surface drying and sand movement.