There could be several reasons why you might hear a loud booming sound of a jet without seeing anything visible in the sky. Here are a few possibilities:
Military Training: Plant City, FL, is located in close proximity to various military installations, including MacDill Air Force Base and Avon Park Air Force Range. Military aircraft often conduct training exercises that involve high-speed maneuvers and supersonic flights. These activities can generate loud sonic booms that are heard on the ground.
Supersonic Commercial Flights: While supersonic commercial flights are not currently in operation, there have been discussions and plans to reintroduce them in the future. It's possible that experimental or test flights of supersonic aircraft are being conducted in the area, causing the booms you hear.
Weather Phenomena: Certain weather conditions, such as temperature inversions or atmospheric disturbances, can cause sound to travel unusually far or be refracted downward towards the ground. This could make distant aircraft sounds appear louder and closer than they actually are.
Other Sources: It's also worth considering that the booming sounds you hear may not necessarily be related to aircraft. Explosions, construction activities, large machinery, or even fireworks can produce similar sounds and reverberations.
If you're consistently experiencing these loud booming sounds and they are causing concern or disrupting your daily life, it may be helpful to reach out to local authorities or aviation authorities to inquire about any ongoing activities or events that could explain the phenomenon.