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So Cold that Trees Will Explode? Not Exactly, Expert Explains
- On Thursday the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Cold Watch for much of Minnesota from Thursday night through Saturday morning, warning frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes and urging residents to follow updated forecasts and adjust plans.
- Meteorologists say the polar vortex interacting with a warm upper atmosphere is driving Arctic air south; combined with moisture from California and the Gulf of Mexico, it fuels bitter cold, heavy snow, and life-threatening conditions.
- West Texas A&M physicist Christopher Baird said `The crackling sound or gunshot pop you hear in the forest in the winter is the sound of trees freezing and bursting`, caused by sap freezing or wood contracting rapidly, which can cause trunks or limbs to crack with loud booms.
- Residents are advised to avoid parking beneath large trees and limit outdoor time during extreme cold, as falling limbs can damage vehicles and power lines while travelers should prepare for delays.
- While rare, historic observations and Lakota people note tree cracking during severe freezes, and scientific studies link rising extreme events to warming Arctic sea ice declines.
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59 Articles
59 Articles
The Hamilton Spectator+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Are ‘exploding trees’ real? Here’s what an Ontario arborist says
With parts of Ontario expected to hit -31 C, reports of “exploding trees” are trending. Learn the science of frost cracks and how to protect your yard this winter.
·Hamilton, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources59
Leaning Left12Leaning Right5Center34Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 23%
C 67%
Factuality
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