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Residents across six Midwestern and Northern Plains states are being warned about a rare winter phenomenon - trees that can literally burst from the inside with sounds resembling gunshots as a potentially historic winter storm approaches.
Meteorologist Max Velocity warned this week that temperatures in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and northern parts of Iowa and Illinois could plummet to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit on Friday and Saturday, creating conditions for what experts call "frost cracking."
The phenomenon occurs when sap and moisture inside trees freeze suddenly, expanding and building pressure against the bark - similar to a can of soda left too long in a freezer. When the pressure becomes too great, the tree can split with a loud crack that sounds remarkably like gunfire.
The incoming Arctic blast is part of a massive winter storm expected to affect more than 200 million Americans across 30 states. The National Weather Service has warned that "nearly everyone east of the Rockies" will experience some impact from snow, ice, or extreme cold from Friday into early next week.
In Minnesota, meteorologists warn that Arctic air flooding in from Canada will make it feel between 38 and 54 degrees below zero throughout the entire state on Friday. Meanwhile, southern regions from Texas to Virginia are bracing for severe ice storms, while areas from Colorado to Maine could see up to two feet of snow.
Several states have already declared emergencies, with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp urging residents on social media to "take this time to secure food, fill up on gas and ensure you're prepared for any potential loss of power."