Warning of terrifying 'exploding trees' phenomenon amid record-breaking cold snap in the US.

An Arctic blast is approaching, threatening the lives of more than 150 million Americans with record-breaking temperatures. Could this extreme phenomenon really cause trees to "explode" as rumored?

 

1. Winter storms and warnings about "Exploding Trees"

Extreme temperatures from the upcoming Arctic cold air mass are predicted to cause some plant species to "explode." This information stems from a widely circulated social media post by meteorologist Max Velocity . He warned that temperatures in the Midwest and Northern Plains of the United States could drop below -29°C (-20°F) , creating conditions for this phenomenon to occur.

 

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a "life-threatening" temperature warning, with wind chill indicators potentially dropping to -46°C (-50°F) .

2. Decoding the Science: Why do trees make popping sounds?

The concept of "explosion" here is not the same as the explosions in action movies. According to forestry experts, the cause lies in tree sap :

1. Fluid expansion: Ordinary tree sap remains liquid even at freezing temperatures. However, when exposed to extremely low temperatures (below -29°C), the sap will freeze suddenly.
2. Physical pressure: According to the principles of physics, when water freezes, its volume increases. Frozen tree sap creates immense pressure inside the tree trunk.
3. Frost cracking: When pressure exceeds the bark's tolerance limit, the tree trunk will split open with an extremely loud, resounding noise, like a gunshot.

Bill McNee , a forest health expert in Wisconsin, said: "The sudden release of pressure causes branches to fall and people will hear a loud cracking sound, sometimes actual explosions in the physical sense."

3. The rarity of the phenomenon

Although the scientific mechanism is clear, experts like meteorologist Cody Matz emphasize that the phenomenon of trees cracking open to the point of completely "exploding" is extremely rare . Most people in frigid regions could live their entire lives without ever witnessing or hearing such an explosion.

The South Dakota News Watch organization also concluded that the word "explosion" can be misleading; in reality, it's cracking caused by sudden temperature variations that produces a sound equivalent to an explosion.

4. Impacts of Climate Change and the Polar Vortex

Meteorologists believe that the stretching of the Arctic Circle is the main cause of this record-breaking cold snap.

1. Mechanism: Polar vortices are areas of low pressure and cold air surrounding the poles. When the jet stream is disrupted, the cold air is pushed further south.
2. Climate change: Global warming in the Arctic is fueling the destabilization of the polar vortex and making these cold spells more frequent and severe.