Baltimore, MD – From Baltimore to Frederick, residents across Maryland may soon hear sudden booms cutting through the night as bitter cold grips the region. The Maryland Geological Survey says these unusual winter sounds are likely frost quakes, which occur when frozen ground cracks due to rapid temperature drops.
Also called cryoseisms, frost quakes develop when rain or melting snow seeps into the soil and then freezes too quickly. As the trapped water expands into ice, pressure builds until the ground splits, releasing energy in a sharp, thunder-like burst that can rattle windows or even shake homes.
Meteorologists say conditions this week favor frost quakes across central and western Maryland, with temperatures expected to fall from the upper 30s to below freezing within hours. Limited snow cover means the soil lacks insulation, allowing the rapid freeze to trigger ground cracking overnight, particularly near Baltimore, Frederick, and Hagerstown.
Frost quakes most often occur between midnight and dawn, when temperatures reach their lowest point. While they pose no danger, they can cause small driveway cracks or create frost heaves in yards.
Experts advise homeowners to maintain proper drainage and keep downspouts directed away from foundations before deep freezes arrive.
So if a loud boom jolts you awake on a quiet, icy night from Baltimore to Frederick, it’s probably not construction or fireworks — it’s Maryland’s frozen ground snapping under the winter cold.
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