Allen Herzog, director of facilities at the Owensboro Convention Center, blows snow off the loading dock of the facility as a winter storm passes though the area Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)
A bicyclist rides in the snow along Veterans Blvd. as a winter storm passes though the area Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)
Allen Herzog, director of facilities at the Owensboro Convention Center, blows snow off the loading dock of the facility as a winter storm passes though the area Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)
GTE
A bicyclist rides in the snow along Veterans Blvd. as a winter storm passes though the area Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Owensboro, Ky. (Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)
Meteorologists say that water rapidly freezing in the soil amid bitterly cold temperatures can make a startling noise and even cause small vibrations.
These noises are known as frost quakes or cryoseisms, a cold-weather phenomenon that occurs when rain or melted snow in the ground quickly freezes, expanding as it solidifies, when temperatures rapidly fall below freezing. As the ice expands, pressure builds around the surrounding soil, causing it to crack and make booming sounds and light shaking.
Evan Webb, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky, said the office has received reports of “loud booms†that are associated with cryoseisms during bitter cold weather.
“I think some people initially wonder if it’s an exploding tree or something,†he said.
Webb said frost quakes are “relatively rare, especially in Kentucky … we don’t get quite cold enough very often to have saturated soil in the winter time to be able to freeze that quickly.â€
Webb said frost quakes are “mostly harmless†and .
The weather service office notes in a social media post that the noises can be startling, especially when they happen at night, but they're generally not a cause for concern.
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
