As temperatures plunge and extreme cold watches spread across large parts of the country, a new winter fear has taken hold online. Viral posts warning of 'exploding trees' have racked up millions of views, leaving residents anxious about loud cracking noises, falling branches and whether freezing conditions can really cause trees to burst apart.
The dramatic phrasing has captured attention during one of the coldest stretches of winter so far. But scientists and weather experts say the reality is more nuanced than social media suggests, even if the underlying phenomenon is real.
