The Mystery Of The Weekend Booms: Sonic Booms Rock Texas And New Mexico

Over the weekend in Texas and New Mexico, something happened that I don't think many of us were prepared for. On Jan 20, people from Tucumcari, New Mexico to Amarillo, Texas reported hearing loud booms. According to reports, those loud "booms" are believed by many to be sonic booms. Before you start worrying, it's not the first time we've experienced sonic booms in either state.

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Why Were There Sonic Booms Over The Weekend In New Mexico And Texas?

To put it as simply as possible, because something went faster than the speed of sound. That's what a sonic boom is. The real question is why would something be moving that fast in the first place?

According to reports, all that is confirmed is that jets from the Cannon Air Force Base were "flying in the area." The "area" they're referring to would be Quay County in New Mexico, around Tucumcari. What makes it interesting is the number of people from Amarillo who took to social media to talk about the loud booms. Some commented hearing them near 45th and Bell, and even near Soncy and the loop.

While a loud unexpected boom is something that any normal person would be concerned over, it turns out that this isn't the first time this has ever happened. In fact, it happens more often than you would think.

Are Sonic Booms Rare?

Judging by the number of headlines I've found regarding these "sonic booms" (if that's what they actually are), this isn't something that's completely unheard of.

In 2012, people in two north Texas counties made similar reports. Johnson and Hood counties reported hearing sonic booms. Fast forward to 2017, and you have another instance in Texas. This time near Fort Hood.  In 2018 it was in Galveston. Last year it was in Wise County, and that brings us to this year in New Mexico and the Texas panhandle.

Fortunately, these sounds have an explanation and we don't have to worry about it being the sound heralding the arrival of our new intergalactic overlords.