Zero-curtain effect was analyzed at 4 different sites in Tiksi during fall seasons in 2012-2014 with focuson September-October 2013. Soil water contents at these sites ranges from wet to dry depending onthe site location.• The duration of zero-curtain effect occurring in Tiksi at the 4 different locations varies from 25 to 50days for different years. Its onset depends on the air temperature falling below 0ºC. Its durationdepends on the soil water content of the specific area.• Our study shows that Tiksi Observatory Site is horizontally inhomogeneous containing 10% dry soil and90% wet soil regions. Depending on the soil water content different regions create different impact tothe energy budget.• Our measurements show that surface (“skin”) temperature follows the air temperature profile rather thansoil temperature, that is, its dependence on soil type and water content is weak. In other words, thezero-curtain effect has a weak impact on the skin temperature. This result is important for atmosphericmodels and bulk flux parameterization. However, the zero-curtain effect creates substantial vertical andhorizontal temperature gradients in upper soil layers during transition seasons.