Several online reports in Rutherford County indicate some loud booms, something that maybe shakes their home or sounds like an explosion, are happening while we're in the deep freeze.

That's a phenomenon called "frost quakes." The National Weather Service says they're caused when frozen water expands quickly in the ground. When the water expands, it puts pressure on the rock and soils. The result of that pressure being released sounds like a boom.

These frost quakes are harmless and caused by our bitterly cold temperatures and moisture from snowfall.