Existing global FT records, derived from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), the Advanced Scanning Microwave Radiometer (AMSR), and the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) produce relatively course spatial resolution (25-36km) binary FT classifications. These classifications can vary widely depending on the microwave bands used, topography, and land cover, leading to a somewhat ambiguous definition of ‘frozen’ and ‘thawed’ states. In this study, we assess the relationship between satellite observation derived FT products over North America compared to modeled near-surface temperatures and land surface temperature (LST) from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system (GOES). Utilizing the higher spatial resolution of these products (~4.5km), sub-grid scale variability and its relationship to courser microwave FT classifications was assessed. Through an analysis of spatial variability and uncertainty across North America, five focus study pixels each representing unique FT profiles were examined. These included pixels in: (1) Southern Plains (36, -97), (2) Tundra (61, -76), (3) Northern Forest (47, -74), (4) Northern Plains (52, -103), and Mountainous (38.9, -107.9). The model ensemble adequately captured near surface temperatures as they relate to FT classifications in Tundra, the Northern Plains, and Northern Forest regions. On average, 85.3% to 99.6% of sub-grid cells were below freezing when FT products classified the associated pixels as frozen. GOES - LST observations were shown to have the highest proportion of sub-grid cells below freezing on average, when classified as frozen by FT products (97.3% - 100%) across the same 3 focus locations. However, we also find that fractional FT products utilizing higher resolution data inputs, such as LST, would provide a considerable improvement in mountainous regions with high inter-grid cell heterogeneity, in regions characterized by ephemeral FT events (Southern Plains), as well as during freeze and thaw onset periods. These locations showed a significant reduction in the average temperature product frozen proportion associated with frozen classifications (as low as 5.8%). This study provides insight to improving representation of FT state and providing a clearer meaning of what constitutes a ‘frozen’ classification.