Sonic Boom Shakes Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania: Likely Caused by a Meteor

Residents of Ohio and Pennsylvania experienced a startling boom and ground-shaking event around 9 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed the likely cause: a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere.

Reports of a Loud Boom and Fireball

The NWS received numerous reports of a loud explosion and a bright fireball in the sky, with initial calls flooding 911 lines. The NWS office in Pittsburgh initially reported receiving reports across western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio of a loud boom and a fireball. The NWS Cleveland office followed up with data confirming the meteor’s entry.

Satellite Imagery Confirms Meteor Entry

According to NWS Cleveland, the latest imagery from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) suggests the boom was a result of a meteor. “The latest GLM imagery (1301Z) does suggest that the boom was a result of a meteor,” the NWS stated. The GLM detected a bright streak over the Cleveland area consistent with a meteor entering the atmosphere. Weather.com

Witness Accounts and Video Evidence

The American Meteor Society has received over 100 reports from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and even Canada, describing the same event. One observer reported hearing low rumbles a minute or two after the fireball disappeared. Another observer in Cincinnati, Ohio, saw the meteor but did not hear the sonic boom. Weather.com

Several videos captured the event. A viewer sent a video to News 5 Cleveland showing the meteor burning up over Northeast Ohio. CBS News Dashcam footage from Pennsylvania likewise captured the meteor streaking across the sky. CBS News A video posted online also captured the sound of the boom. CBS News

Sonic Boom Explained

Meteorologist Jeff Tanchak with WOIO explained that the boom likely occurred when the meteor broke the sound barrier. CBS News The NWS also noted that the sound was most likely a sonic boom. Weather.com

No Reports of Impact or Debris

As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities have not received any reports of the meteor actually hitting the ground. Weather.com It is possible the meteor burned up entirely in the atmosphere before reaching the surface.

Recent Meteor Activity in the Region

This event follows other recent sightings of fireballs in Ohio skies, including one spotted on a doorbell camera in mid-February and another on March 15. CBS News

Key Takeaways

• A loud boom and ground-shaking event was reported across Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania on March 17, 2026.
• The National Weather Service has confirmed the likely cause was a meteor entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Satellite imagery and witness accounts support the meteor explanation.
• No reports of impact or debris have been received.