The loss of plantlike cover almost always leads to soil erosion, from things like wind or rain. This is most common in areas of deforestation. Once the soil is left unprotected, from things such as deforestation, wind and water are the factors that do the eroding. High winds are able to blow away loose soil from flat or hilly terrain. Wind erosion can cause the most damage in the winter when the ground is frozen, but the upper most soil layer is dry and loose.
Water erosion happens when the soil becomes soaked, forcing the water to flow on the surface.
Moving water has the ability to carry materials, like soil. Water erosion usually happens only on slopes, and its harshness increases with the how steep the slope is. In colder climates, water erosion occurs during the spring with the thawing and melting action of the snow. Since water and wind are those responsible for soil erosion, climate plays a large role. Extreme weather events can be disastrous to the soil.