“The fireball likely rained meteorites over Medina County, which would be the 15th meteorite strike in the Buckeye State, if confirmed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,” stated an expert following the event.
On March 17, 2026, a fireball meteor exploded over Northeast Ohio with the force of 250 tons of TNT. The meteor, originating from a small asteroid weighing about 7 tons and measuring nearly 6 feet in diameter, was first visible at an altitude of 50 miles above Lake Erie.
Traveling at an astonishing speed of 40,000 mph, the meteor moved south and slightly east, becoming visible to observers as far away as Chicago, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Richmond, Virginia. Eyewitness accounts and security cameras captured the dramatic explosion, with at least 200 people reporting sightings to the American Meteor Society.
The meteor traveled over 34 miles through the upper atmosphere before fragmenting 30 miles above Valley City, north of Medina. The pressure wave created by the explosion caused booms and explosive noises that shook houses in the Medina area, with reports of these loud sounds beginning shortly before 9 a.m.
“The pressure wave created by the 250 tons of TNT when it broke apart caused booms and explosive noises,” noted a local resident who experienced the event firsthand.
Additionally, the streaking fireball was also visible from space and was caught on camera by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-19 weather satellite. This highlights the significance of the event not only for local residents but also for scientific observation.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, meteorites, which are meteors that survive the trip through the Earth’s atmosphere and reach the ground, have been confirmed in 14 locations around Ohio. This incident could add to that count if meteorites are indeed found in the aftermath.
Details remain unconfirmed as authorities continue to assess the situation and gather more information about the potential meteorite fallout.
