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Meteorologist Warns Of 'Exploding Tree' Risk As Extreme Cold Hits Minnesota
- 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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Do trees really explode in extreme cold?
The majority of the United States is bracing itself for a potentially historic polar vortex winter storm this weekend. The lower 48 states could experience average temperatures of 11 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, while those in the North and Midwest will likely see that number drop to -25 degrees or lower. But aside from the bitter subzero temperatures, mountains of snow, and damaging ice, some news and social media posts are warning of a completely…
·United States
Read Full ArticleDo trees actually explode from 'extreme' cold?
Can trees really explode in the extreme cold? Rumors are spreading on social media that the frigid temperatures in the Upper Midwest this week could mean exploding trees. FOX 9's Cody Matz breaks down this viral claim.
·Washington, United States
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Center
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources are Center
92% Center
C 92%
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