Local meteorologists warned that when coupled with wind chill, temperatures would feel as cold as minus 54 degrees. The temperatures are life-threatening to humans and can also cause trees to "explode," according to a meteorologist who warned of the phenomenon on X on Tuesday night.

As Minnesotans, along with much of the rest of the nation, hunker down for a brutally cold stretch of January weather, a new winter concern is starting to go viral on social media.

A tree-mendous freeze. Forecasters are warning that expected subzero temperatures could cause trees to explode as a brutal cold snap is expected to wallop most of the country in the coming days. Trees may split and burst across the Midwest and Northern Plains Friday and Saturday as a bitter Arctic blast from Canada sends temperatures plunging to roughly 20 degrees below zero,

Forecasters warn an extreme winter storm could trigger rare “exploding trees” across the Upper Midwest as temperatures plunge below zero, causing sap inside trees to freeze and crack bark. The storm is expected to bring widespread snow,

Amidst plenty of viral posts regarding ‘exploding’ trees due to cold temperatures, officials with the DNR provided some clarification. WFRV talked with a Forest Health Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources about the possibility of ‘exploding’ trees in frigid weather.