Meteor Likely Cause of Cleveland Boom, NWS Confirms

The National Weather Service (NWS) announced Tuesday that a loud boom heard over Cleveland was likely caused by a meteor.

Residents reported the sound, with some expressing concern it was an explosion. The boom was reported to have shaken houses and was audible in areas including New York and Pennsylvania.

The NWS office in Pittsburgh released a video of the meteor, which was captured by an employee from the Pittsburgh area.

WOIO meteorologist Jeff Tanchak stated the boom was consistent with a meteor breaking the sound barrier. The exact atmospheric entry time was not specified, and additional details were not immediately available.

How the Meteor was Confirmed

The NWS confirmed the meteor's involvement using a geostationary lightning mapper (GLM) instrument. The GLM, which is typically used for mapping lightning strikes, can also detect bright flashes from meteors. Imagery from the GLM showed a distinct green flash over Cleveland.

Recent Ohio Sightings

Recent weeks have seen other meteor sightings in Ohio. This includes one in mid-February, which was captured by a doorbell camera, and another fireball reported on March 15.