An incoming Arctic blast is fueling social media claims that trees could “explode” in the cold. While dramatic, the reality is more nuanced: trees don’t typically explode like in action movies, but frigid temperatures can cause significant, and sometimes startling, damage.
The Science Behind the Cracking
The current weather system is bringing “life-threatening cold” to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with wind chills predicted to reach -50°F (-46°C). Under these conditions, tree sap can freeze rapidly. Sap remains liquid even in freezing temperatures, but extreme cold (around -20°F / -29°C) forces it to expand. This expansion creates intense pressure within the tree, causing branches to crack and even fall off.
Bill McNee, a forest health specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, explains that this cracking can sound like a gunshot. While full-on “explosions” are rare, the sudden release of pressure can be violent enough to cause noticeable damage.
How Rare is This?
Meteorologists confirm that this phenomenon happens, but it’s extremely uncommon. Many people who live in cold climates like Minnesota have never witnessed it firsthand. The South Dakota News Watch and Gigafact have determined that the claim of widespread exploding trees is misleading, even though the snapping and cracking can sound explosive.
The Bigger Picture: A Stretched Polar Vortex
The current Arctic blast isn’t random; it’s linked to a stretched polar vortex. This is a persistent area of low pressure and cold air that circulates around the poles. When the vortex weakens or stretches, it sends frigid air southward along the jet stream. This year’s distortion is significant enough to impact over 150 million people across 24 states with heavy snow and ice.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of dangerous wind chills and the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Even if trees don’t explode, the extreme cold poses a serious threat to human health.
In conclusion, while the image of exploding trees is sensationalized, the Arctic blast is a genuine weather event with real consequences. The combination of frigid temperatures and high winds creates a dangerous situation, even if the trees themselves don’t go boom.
