Do trees really explode when the weather gets cold?

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More than 200 million Americans are bracing for a horrific disaster Potentially catastrophic winter storm this weekend, Threat to travel and power failure Across more than twenty states.

Temperatures expected to plummet due to incoming weather Blast of arctic airA popular social media meteorologist is warning residents in the Midwest and Northern Plains of what he calls a “tree explosion.”

“Trees may explode across the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, with temperatures expected to drop to 20 degrees below zero!” Max “Speed” Schuster degree in meteorology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, warn on X.

But Schuster’s warning drew criticism from others who said his language was exaggerated. “PSA. No. As temperatures drop, the trees may develop some cracks, but they won’t explode.” WISN 12 Meteorologist Lindsey Slater wrote On the blue sky. “oops.”

What is the truth? People shouldn’t be afraid of shrapnel from explosions Tree This winter — but the trees could snap with a loud bang.

It's going to get even colder during this weekend's winter storm. But meteorologists are divided on the impact Americans can expect — It’s going to get even colder during this weekend’s winter storm. But meteorologists are divided on the impact Americans can expect (Getty Images)

What happens to trees in extremely cold conditions?

extreme temperature drops below the freezing point of water able Causes sap in young trees to freeze quickly and expand, with the tree’s outer bark shrinking faster than the inner bark.

This causes pressure to build up within the tree, leading to what’s known as “frost cracking.”

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This is what creates the loud noise.

“The split itself sounds like a rifle shot. The area involved appears as elongated vertical cracks and sometimes bumps on the trunk,” Missouri Botanical Garden Explained.

cracks left trees many different species Vulnerable to insects, bacteria and fungi. As the weather warms, the cracks will close and may Reopening for winter.

But will they explode?

“I’ve never seen the damage it caused, but from what I’ve seen and what I’ve read online, it’s rare that there was such a sudden release of so much pressure inside the tree that it almost caused it to explode,” said Bill McNee, a forest health specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. milwaukee sentinel.

Temperatures set to drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit in several northern states this weekend (AFP via Getty Images)

What should people expect during this storm?

Temperatures may not be cold enough in much of the country for frost cracks to appear.

Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin have issued extreme cold warnings, with low temperatures expected to fall below freezing on Friday and Saturday.

However, Sheppard said temperatures may need to reach minus 20 degrees or lower before frost cracking occurs.

“The Chicago Bears have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than witnessing an exploding tree in -20° temperatures,” wrote WFRV Meteorologist Luke Sampe.