Jacob Wycoff is a meteorologist at WBZ-TV and contributes to weekend morning newscasts. He is a member of both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society.
Updated on: May 30, 2026 / 4:37 PM EDT / CBS Boston
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A meteor exploded off the coast of Massachusetts, creating a loud boom heard across the state on Saturday afternoon. WBZ-TV chief meteorologist Eric Fisher reported that the noise was heard at 2:11 p.m. Eastern Time. This sudden bang alarmed residents by rattling windows and startling pets, with some experiencing their homes shaking.
Numerous phone calls were received by the WBZ-TV newsroom as people from Boston and as far as Ipswich and Johnston, Rhode Island, reported hearing the explosion. Initial reports from the American Meteor Society indicated that many in the Northeast saw the fireball around 2 p.m. This phenomenon stretched across several states, helping scientists trace the meteor’s atmospheric journey. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite data confirmed a meteor-like signature coinciding with the reported time of the boom. The meteor likely entered the atmosphere over the South Shore near Boston. As of now, there are no reports indicating where the meteor landed.
Most meteors burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere. Larger ones, however, can survive long enough to produce bright fireballs and shock waves.
Understanding the Sonic Boom
Meteors enter the Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds ranging from 25,000 to 160,000 miles per hour, primarily composed of pebbles or sand-sized particles. They generally disintegrate safely above the ground. However, larger meteors may survive deeper entry into the atmosphere, creating intense shock waves similar to a supersonic jet. These pressure waves can result in a sonic boom, audible far from the meteor’s path. This explains why many might have heard Saturday’s boom without seeing the fireball.
Meteor Events in 2026
The Massachusetts meteor incident is one among several notable fireballs reported in North America this year. In March, a meteor over Ohio caused a sonic boom felt across multiple states. Shortly after, another fireball in Texas created a significant shock wave and left meteorite fragments, with one reportedly penetrating a house roof in the Houston area. The American Meteor Society has observed a rise in high-profile fireball occurrences and sonic booms early in 2026. The Massachusetts boom followed a similar event in South Carolina, initially mistaken for an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey attributed it to a sonic boom, with investigation into its source ongoing. Researchers clarify there is no evidence of potential Earth impacts.
Source: Massachusetts Meteor
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