VALLEY CITY, Ohio — Ohioans across the state experienced a literal “bolt from the blue” on St. Patrick’s Day morning as a massive meteor streaked through the atmosphere, triggering a powerful sonic boom that could be felt from the shores of Lake Erie down to the suburbs of Columbus.
The celestial event occurred at approximately 8:57 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Despite the bright morning sun, the fireball was visible to the naked eye, appearing as a blinding white and green streak that lasted for nearly five seconds.
A Seven-Ton Space Rock
NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office confirmed early Wednesday that the space rock was roughly 6 feet in diameter and weighed an estimated 7 tons (14,000 pounds).
Traveling at over 35,000 miles per hour, the meteor entered the atmosphere over Lake Erie before traveling south toward Medina County. The intense pressure caused the rock to fragment approximately 30 miles above the village of Valley City, creating the massive pressure wave felt by residents on the ground.
“I thought a truck had hit my house,” said one Medina County resident. “The windows rattled so hard I was sure they were going to shatter. Then I looked outside and the neighbors were all in the street looking at a smoke trail in the sky.”
The “Hunt” is On in Medina County
While most of the meteor burned up during entry, experts believe small fragments—known as meteorites—likely survived the fall and landed in rural fields across Medina County.
- Search Area: Scientists have narrowed the “strewn field” to a corridor between Valley City and Erhart.
- Public Warning: Officials are reminding residents that while these rocks are valuable to science, they are often located on private property. “Please respect ‘No Trespassing’ signs,” local law enforcement urged. “And if you find a black, crusty rock that feels unusually heavy, do not clean it—contact a university geology department.”
A Rare Daylight Spectacle
Fireball reports flooded into the American Meteor Society from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and as far south as Kentucky. Witnesses described the light as being “brighter than the sun” for a brief moment before the meteor broke apart with a distinct thundering sound.
The “St. Paddy’s Fireball” was a rare occurrence due to its size and the fact that it was visible during the day. Most meteors of this scale burn up over the ocean or in unpopulated areas, making the Ohio event a significant opportunity for researchers.
