Key moments
A meteor struck Cleveland, Ohio, on March 17, 2026, producing a bright daylight fireball that startled residents and was confirmed by the National Weather Service. The incident involved a small asteroid nearly 6 feet in diameter and weighing about 7 tons, which first appeared about 50 miles above Lake Erie.
The meteor traveled approximately 34 miles through the atmosphere before fragmenting 30 miles over Valley City, Ohio. This fragmentation unleashed an energy equivalent to 250 tons of TNT, resulting in a loud boom that was heard across a wide area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the noise from the meteor traveled faster than the speed of sound, with reports coming in from at least ten states, including Ohio and parts of western Pennsylvania. One resident tweeted, “Heard the loudest boom just now in northeast OH. People heard it as far as Avon. What was that? Meteor? @NWSCLE”.
The National Weather Service confirmed the reports of a loud boom and fireball, stating, “We’ve been receiving reports of a loud boom and fireball in the sky across parts of western PA and eastern OH.” The agency further noted that the latest imagery suggested that the boom was indeed a result of the meteor.
Another eyewitness described the experience, saying, “Heard it on the east side of Cleveland. Sounded like a bomb or dynamite going off. My house shook.” Such vivid accounts reflect the shock and awe felt by many in the region.
Asteroids, which are smaller than planets but larger than meteoroids, can produce dramatic events when they enter the Earth’s atmosphere. This incident serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the potential for unexpected occurrences.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding whether any fragments of the meteorite hit the ground. As investigations continue, officials are assessing the impact of this rare event on the community and the surrounding areas.
