It's So Cold That Trees Could Literally Explode, "Frost Cracking"

THE U.S. IS SO COLD RIGHT NOW, MULTIPLE STATES HAVE FROST CRACKING WARNINGS

If you live in the U.S., you are far more likely than not to know without any doubt whatsoever that it’s freaking cold. COLD. Right now about one million Americans have lost power. And as for snow there is a veritable ton of it across dozens of states. I shoveled three times today, and with drift I’d say I dealt with two feet! But on top of that, it is cold as hell. It was so cold that my electric hand warmers weren’t doing enough, and I had to take breaks just to feel my fingers again. But that was only in about 9 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets colder than that, things get even more dangerous. But I had no idea that extreme cold temps could literally make trees explode. It’s called “frost cracking.”

FROST CRACKING TREE EXPLOSIONS SOUND A WHOLE LOT LIKE A GUNSHOT

But seriously, when it gets crazy cold, trees can explode from the inside. It’s so violent that the sound could easily be mistaken for a gunshot. I didn’t get an official warning of possible exploding trees near me; it wasn’t quite the right frigid. But in the last two days, residents of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin (hello, Wisconsin!), the Dakotas and parts of northern Iowa and Illinois had something more than shoveling snow to think about: exploding trees. That’s because those states had a pretty solid chance to get temperatures (without windchill!) of -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides being totally insane, that’s the temperature that sets the stage for possible “frost cracking.”

Hunter Illegally Shoots Bear In Tree, Bear Lands on Friend, Killing Him

WHEN ICE AND SAP INSIDE A TREE FREEZE TOO FAST, YOU GET FROST CRACKING AND DANGER

So if you hear a gunshot near you, it might not be ICE. But ice in a tree. You might still want to run but maybe just move quickly, instead. Because if you flood your lungs with cold air too fast you can hemorrhage and die. No, really. So what makes some trees explode in extreme cold? It’s when sap and moisture freeze quickly, creating pressure from inside the tree and then, BOOM. As you might imagine, that could be dangerous. I’m not sure about shrapnel or the like. But a suddenly falling tree could do some damage. And big trees are not immune. So as you walk to the car or shovel 2-3 feet of snow, don’t worry so much about your nose and mouth freezing with every breath.

But keep an eye on that poplar or maple. Especially that maple.