As a perilous winter storm prepares to unleash its fury across the United States, sending temperatures into a dramatic plunge, a peculiar meteorological debate has captured public attention: can trees actually explode during extreme cold snaps? More than two hundred million Americans are bracing for what forecasters describe as a bone-chilling and potentially catastrophic weather event this weekend, with the threat of widespread travel disruption and power outages looming over more than two dozen states.
The Social Media Storm Over 'Exploding Trees'
Amidst the forecasts of plummeting temperatures driven by an incoming blast of Arctic air, a popular social media meteorologist issued a stark warning to residents of the Midwest and Northern Plains. Max "Velocity" Schuster, who holds a degree in meteorology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, took to the platform X to caution: "EXPLODING TREES are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees BELOW zero!"
However, this dramatic proclamation quickly drew criticism from fellow weather experts who labelled the language as hyperbolic and potentially alarmist. "PSA. No. With dropping temps, you may get some cracking in trees but no explosions," countered WISN 12 meteorologist Lindsey Slater in a post on Bluesky, adding a succinct "Jeez" to underscore her point. This clash highlights a division within the meteorological community over how to communicate the real risks of extreme winter weather.
The Scientific Reality Behind the 'Boom'
So, what is the truth behind the sensational claim? While people should not fear flying shrapnel from genuinely exploding trees this winter, the scientific reality is that trees can indeed split with a resounding, explosive-like boom under specific conditions. This phenomenon is known as a "frost crack."
What Causes Frost Cracks in Trees?
When temperatures drop rapidly far below the freezing point of water, the sap inside a tree—particularly in younger specimens—can freeze and expand rapidly. Simultaneously, the outer bark layer contracts more quickly than the inner wood layers. This mismatch creates immense internal pressure. "The splitting itself can sound like a rifle shot. The area involved shows as an elongated, vertical crack, or sometimes bulge, in the trunk," explains the Missouri Botanical Garden. The resulting loud noise is what can be mistaken for an explosion.
These frost cracks leave trees of various species vulnerable to subsequent damage from insects, bacteria, and fungi. Interestingly, the cracks may close during warmer weather, only to reopen when winter returns, creating a cyclical pattern of damage.
How Rare Are True 'Explosions'?
Bill McNee, a forest health specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, provided context to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, stating, "I've never seen the damage of it, but from what I have seen and what I read online is that it is rare for there just to be so much pressure that is suddenly released inside this tree that it almost does explode." This suggests that while the loud cracking is real, a catastrophic, shrapnel-producing explosion is an exceptionally rare event, more folklore than common occurrence.
What to Expect From This Weekend's Winter Storm
For most of the country impacted by the incoming storm, temperatures are unlikely to be cold enough to trigger widespread frost cracking. However, in states under extreme cold warnings—such as Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin—low temperatures on Friday and Saturday are forecast to dip below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Meteorologist Sheppard noted that temperatures likely need to reach a staggering negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for frost cracks to become a significant possibility. Adding a touch of sporting humour to the technical discussion, WFRV meteorologist Luke Sampe quipped, "The Chicago Bears have a better shot at winning the Super Bowl than you do witnessing an exploding tree from -20° temps." This analogy underscores the rarity of the conditions required for the most dramatic tree damage.
Ultimately, as Americans prepare for a weekend of severe winter weather, the key takeaway is one of nuanced understanding. While the terrifying image of exploding trees is largely a myth, the very real phenomenon of frost cracks serves as a loud reminder of the powerful and sometimes surprising forces exerted by extreme cold on the natural world.
