Chicago’s Frost Quakes

Winter weather won’t let up on Chicago, Illinois, as they experienced a series of booms referred to as Frost Quakes.

Frost Quakes (also known as Ice Quakes or Cryoseism) are defined by Wikipedia as a “seismic event that may be caused by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice.” As moisture drains down into the ground, eventually freezing may occur causing it to expand under cold temperatures. Once the stress builds up, it is relieved explosively with a loud series of booming noises. There is another type of cryoseism which is a not tectonic seismic and is caused by sudden glacial movements. The saturated ground freezes rapidly when temperatures fall rapidly and the ground shifts, relocating and even splitting open rocks while putting stress on the now hardened soil, which causes loud noises and isolated damage.

Polar Vortex Effects on the Midwest

The Polar Vortex we’ve been experiencing here in the Midwest continues to hold tightly and provide the coldest weather endured since 1927! This historic cold snap has now forced thousands of flights to be grounded for safety, schools and universities as well as businesses have been closed, and even the post office has refused to deliver mail in this weather in parts of eight states until the temperatures warm up. This is certainly a dangerous weather system being faced!

Winter Storm Jayden

Moderate to heavy snow is expected with Winter Storm Jayden. Unlike this storms predecessors, Winter Storms Gia, Harper, and Indra, Jayden will bring along a massive cold front that will stretch across the affected area and make it dangerous to be outdoors for long periods of time.

From the Plains to Midwest and on to the Eastern/Northeastern Coast early on next week, accumulations of snow accompanied by strong winds are expected. This will cause not only dangerous road conditions, but also small wind-swept ground flurries. While it may not be snowing, strong low winds of up to 25mph will likely cause white-out and blizzard-like conditions. Snow is even possible in the southern parts of the country as the Storm System moves its way east.

Niagara Falls Is Freezing and Indra

The weather cycles from our winter storms, Gia and Harper, are having such a domino effect on the states in the Midwest and Northeast that parts of the Northeast are experiencing a deep freeze. Visitors and sightseers have now stood witness as the rushing waters have frozen in place! This sight has been called majestic, even comparing it to Elsa’s castle (from Frozen)!

“There was even this set of stairs that were placed just outside the look-on spot and they had so much ice on them, it looked like Elsa had just cast her arm out and summoned up some stairs like she does in the movie,” said Emma Grafham, of CNN.

Signs of Danger During Frostbite Season

With the coldest part of winter gets ever closer, it’s important to keep in mind that Mother Nature is who’s in charge here and all too often our bodies can play tricks on us. There are varying severity levels of frostbite, so it’s very important to pay attention to the quiet clues. Below, we’ll list for you some of the more noticeable indications to help keep you and your loved ones safe.