Liputan6.com, Jakarta - In January 2026, a viral warning about the "exploding trees" phenomenon in the Midwest, including the Minnesota area, spread widely on social media.
This warning was posted by meteorologist Max Velocity on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Advertisement
Max Velocity claims that “Exploding Trees are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are expected to drop 20 degrees below zero!”
The post quickly went viral, reportedly being viewed nearly 7 million times.
This phenomenon is attracting public attention amid predictions of an extreme Arctic cold wave that will hit Minnesota and much of the Upper Midwest on Friday, January 23, 2026, and Saturday, January 24, 2026, with temperatures expected to reach 20 degrees below zero or even colder.
Social Media Viral and Clarification from Experts
Max Velocity's viral post on X sparked concern, but experts provided clarification.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak stated that while water in trees can indeed expand if they freeze quickly, the idea of widespread "trees exploding" during this cold wave is "scientifically inaccurate."
According to Augustyniak, because Minnesota has experienced so many cold days so far this winter, the water inside the state's trees likely froze weeks ago.
The risk will be higher if there is a sudden drop in temperature after a milder period.
DNR Forest Health Specialist Eric Otto also stated that this is not a concern in Minnesota because the trees there are already adapted to cold weather, including sub-zero temperatures.
The National Forest Foundation explains that although trees may crack, "they will not fall to pieces."
Christopher Baird, a physics professor at West Texas A&M University, added that the sound of the "bang" may be loud, but the process is not harmful to people nearby.
What Is an "Exploding Tree"? Here's the Scientific Explanation
The "exploding tree" phenomenon is a real event, although it does not mean the tree will explode like a bomb.
Scientifically, this is known as "frost cracking" or "cryoseismic boom".
It happenes when temperatures drop drastically, causing the sap and moisture inside the tree to freeze quickly.
When water freezes, it expands, creating enormous pressure within the tree trunk.
If the temperature drop is sharp enough, this stress can cause the tree to crack or even "explode" with sounds like gunfire or thunder.
This phenomenon is most likely to occur when temperatures drop below -20°F (-29°C), especially after a period of milder weather that leaves the tree unprepared for a sudden freeze.
Trees with higher moisture content, such as oaks, maples, and many fruit trees, are particularly at risk.
“This is most likely to happen on clear, calm nights, especially late night into early morning when temperatures fall quickly,” meteorologist Shawn Cable explained.
“It can happen to a lot of different types of trees, but some common ones around here include maples, ash, apple or crabapple, poplar or cottonwood, and willow, along with younger trees that haven’t yet developed thicker bark.”
These explosive cracks usually happen late at night or early in the morning, when temperatures reach their lowest point.
Extreme Weather Conditions in Minnesota
Minnesota, along with much of the Upper Midwest, is expected to experience a wave of extreme Arctic cold on Friday, January 23, 2026, and Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Temperatures are expected to drop to 20 degrees below zero or even colder.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning for most of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Nonetheless, experts assure that Minnesota's trees, which have adapted to cold conditions, will likely not experience the widespread "blowing" phenomenon depicted in the viral alert.