As 2026 kicks off, a new challenge emerges alongside the ongoing events – the phenomenon of trees exploding due to the extreme cold in parts of Canada and the northern United States. Temperatures have plummeted below -20 degrees Celsius, reaching as low as -40 degrees Celsius with wind chill in some areas. This deep freeze is a result of a disruption in the polar vortex, pushing Arctic air as far south as the U.S. Deep South.
While a viral social media post suggested that the cold snap could lead to trees exploding in several states, including North and South Dakota, Michigan, and others, the reality may not be as dramatic. The frigid conditions pose a serious risk to people in these regions and will contribute to a significant winter storm spanning nearly 30 states over the weekend.
The concept of exploding trees is not entirely baseless. When temperatures drop sharply and swiftly, it can trigger frost cracks in trees, particularly those with thin bark. These vertical splits can stretch the length of the trunk and produce a loud cracking sound resembling an explosion. The rapid freezing of water and sap inside the tree causes expansion, leading to physical pressure that can result in tree splits and branch breakage.
Although the cracking does not harm the tree and typically heals during warmer weather, repeated cycles of cracking and healing can form permanent scars or “frost ribs” on the trunk. Hardwood trees, especially those that shed their leaves in winter or are heavily pruned, are more susceptible to frost cracks. Elm, poplar, maple, oak, ash, aspen, and fruit-bearing trees like apple, peach, and cherry are among the commonly affected species.
Native trees are more resilient to extreme cold compared to non-native species like silver maples and linden trees, which are at higher risk of cracking. While severe damage from freezing temperatures is rare in trees, instances of frost quakes and thundersnow, which can also occur during winter, showcase the dramatic effects of extreme cold on the environment.
Frost quakes, or cryoseisms, occur when rapid freezing of water in the ground causes underground ice expansion, leading to soil and bedrock cracks. Thundersnow, a rare winter weather phenomenon, results from the interaction of warm, moist air near the surface with cooler upper atmospheric air during winter storms, creating thunder and lightning effects amplified by falling snow.