Section Of United States Hit With ‘EXPLODING TREE’ Risk As Forecast Predicts Extreme Weather

With brutal winter conditions on the horizon, a meteorologist made headlines for issuing an ‘exploding tree’ advisory in parts of the Midwestern United States.

“EXPLODING TREES are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees BELOW zero!” meteorologist Max Velocity said.

EXPLODING TREES are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees BELOW zero! pic.twitter.com/nqnoqsbHNU

— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) January 21, 2026

Patch explained further:

Also known as “frost cracking,” the term does not mean trees literally explode, but rather that extreme cold can cause trees to crack or split abruptly.

The phenomenon occurs when sap inside a tree freezes and