Possible Meteor Identified as Cause of Loud Boom in Cleveland

National Weather Service says instrument detected flash consistent with meteor strike

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:50pm

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A loud boom heard over Cleveland on Tuesday was likely caused by a meteor, according to the National Weather Service. The agency said its geostationary lightning mapper instrument detected a bright flash in the atmosphere, indicating a meteor was the likely source of the sound that shook some residents' homes.

Why it matters

Meteor sightings are relatively rare, and the detection of one over a major metropolitan area like Cleveland is noteworthy. This incident highlights the ability of advanced weather monitoring technology to identify and analyze such celestial events in real-time.

The details

The National Weather Service said its geostationary lightning mapper, an instrument typically used to track lightning strikes, detected a quick flash in the atmosphere over Cleveland that is consistent with a meteor. Some residents reported the boom shook their homes, but no other details about the size or impact of the meteor were immediately available.

  • The loud boom was heard on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and monitoring atmospheric conditions across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“A loud boom heard over Cleveland was likely "a result of a meteor,”

— National Weather Service (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The American Meteor Society has not yet commented on the sighting, and more details about the size, location, and impact of the meteor are still being investigated.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the value of advanced weather monitoring technology in identifying and analyzing rare celestial events like meteor strikes, which can provide important scientific data and insights.