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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Trees are 'exploding' in Texas: Their sap is being frozen by winter storm Landon and branches snap off with sound 'like a gunshot'
2022-02-06
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Some really were gunshots
  • Texans say trees are literally exploding due to the freezing temperatures throughout the state courtesy of winter storm Landon

  • Some residents have described the phenomena as 'sounding like gunshots going off'

  • The cold temperatures freeze the water in the tree's sap, causing excess weight along the tree's limbs

  • 'We listened to them all night,' Texas resident Lauren Reber told KXAS-TV. 'Sounds like gunshots going off'

  • Reber added that she had lost power to her home due to the storm, with temperatures dropping so low that even the firewood has become frozen

  • On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott had issued a disaster declaration in response to winter storm Landon's path of destruction across the state
Posted by:Skidmark

#14  The last sunspot cycle (24) was unusually weak. Cycle 25 has started like gangbusters, but someone has pointed out that 24 started the same way. Time will tell...

Valentina Zharkova is a player in this space. Interesting character. Kinda like your Russian babushka, if babushka was a solar physicist.
Posted by: SteveS   2022-02-06 20:43  

#13  Your solar minimum article is dated 2018 - four years ago. Sorry bubba, try again in seven years.
Posted by: KBK   2022-02-06 19:35  

#12  Last year's 'worst ever' freeze in North Texas at 139 hours below freezing

I remember that a few years back we had 183 consecutive days below freezing in our area.

Of course we (and our trees) are used to that, Texas isn't.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2022-02-06 17:20  

#11  But it would restrict them to indoor felonies.
Posted by: SteveS   2022-02-06 15:14  

#10  This could hinder Superbowl practice for the Cowboys...oh. Wait...

nevermind
Posted by: Frank G   2022-02-06 15:09  

#9  Last year's 'worst ever' freeze in North Texas at 139 hours below freezing was compared to other long-term events on the teevee news last night. Last year's freeze was tied for fifth place.

Worst ever (recorded) was in December, 1983 with 295 hours below freezing - just over twelve days!

Footnote: One hour before last February's 139-hour freeze, the temperature was 33 degrees. For 93 hours prior, it was sub-freezing. So last February, there was 232 hours below freezing, with a one hour break. DFW Freeze Summary
Posted by: Bobby   2022-02-06 14:22  

#8  It's the ice coating cracking, falling off etc

NOT the traditional resource for branchwater.
Posted by: Skidmark   2022-02-06 14:00  

#7  I love this fact biased speculative conspiracy stuff.

Grand Solar Minimum 101: The Future Looks Cold

The Grand Solar Minimum will last until 2070
Posted by: Skidmark   2022-02-06 14:00  

#6  Solar Minimum Approaching | A Mini Ice Age?
Posted by: Skidmark   2022-02-06 13:55  

#5  Yeah, no. It's the ice coating cracking, falling off etc. Branches may snap from the weight of ice, but they're not popping like frozen water pipes.

I always liked the aftermath of a little freezing rain, so long as I don't have to drive anywhere.
Posted by: Rob Crawford   2022-02-06 13:42  

#4  Sounds like a California transplant.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2022-02-06 13:33  

#3   it’s just that [recent] Texans are unaccustomed to up 1/2” of ice

It’s Impossible To Forget These 5 Horrific Winter Storms That Have Gone Down In Texas History
Posted by: Skidmark   2022-02-06 13:28  

#2  Trailing daughter #2 reports no exploding trees in her Dallas suburb or the sound of gunshots, just major tree limbs crashing down because coated with ice. She says it’s just that Texans are unaccustomed to up 1/2” of ice, and so are misinterpreting the situation.
Posted by: trailing wife   2022-02-06 13:20  

#1  Where's Lauren live, Houston?
Posted by: swksvolFF   2022-02-06 12:57  

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