The loud boom was from a meteor in Cleveland and Pennsylvania.

15:22, Tue, Mar 17, 2026 Updated: 15:28, Tue, Mar 17, 2026

The meteor boom was heard in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania

The meteor boom was heard in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania (Image: X)

A large boom has been felt in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania after a meteor was spotted over Cleveland. 911 was flooded with reports of an "earthquake-like explosion". Pittsburgh's National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed it received reports of "a loud boom and a fireball in the sky" and believe it was possibly a meteor entering the atmosphere", according to its satellite data.

According to NWS meteorologist Brian Mitchell, the meteor would have burned up in the atmosphere before hitting the ground as there have been no sings of anything hitting the ground. The National Weather Service Pittburgh has posted footage of the bright blaze on its official X account on Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service has since confirmed an instrument called a Geostationary Lightning Mapper determined that a meteor caused the sound.

MORE UPDATES TO FOLLOW...

Meteor confirmed by space-based mapper

The National Weather Service said the sound was confirmed to have been caused by a meteor using an instrument known as a Geostationary Lightning Mapper.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the devices “can also detect bright meteors (bolides), which flash similarly to lightning”.

The instrument captures around 500 images of Earth every second, allowing scientists to measure the shape of a meteor’s light curve — or how its brightness changes over time - with millisecond precision.

The administration added:

“The loud ‘booms’ that accompany meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere with no visible source can cause a lot of anxiety, especially in populated areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) and broadcast meteorologists use GLM data to quickly confirm the source and notify citizens.”

Several meteors spotted in Ohio in recent weeks

Other meteors have also been observed in the skies over Ohio in recent weeks.

In mid-February, a meteor was captured on a doorbell camera, according to CBS affiliate WNBS. Local media also reported that another fireball was filmed on March 15.

National Weather Service footage

The National Weather Service Pittburgh has posted this footage on its official X account this afternoon.

The latest news from around the world Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Pittsburgh's National Weather Service (NWS)

Pittsburgh's National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed it received reports of "a loud boom and a fireball in the sky".

It added: "Our satellite data suggest it was possibly a meteor entering the atmosphere."

Where was the boom heard?

The boom shook eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning.