Mysterious image of 'Bigfoot' caught lurking in National Weather Service image after Pennsylvania storms

Few myths have set off wild imaginations as much as the fabled Bigfoot or Sasquatch. Now, meteorologists in Pennsylvania say they have observed a figure resembling Bigfoot while conducting a survey in the aftermath of a recent storm.

The mysterious 'creature' was spotted beyond a fallen tree in an area nestled within the hills and the higher terrain of the Allegheny Mountains in Fayette County, PA, according to a Fox News report. A photograph taken near Messmore Road captured a potential Bigfoot lurking in the background.

While many may sneer at the possibility of the existence of such a phenomenon - there is a well-documented history of sightings going back over a century. Across North America, many Native American tribes tell stories of large, hairy beings inhabiting forests, often seen as protectors or warnings.

Many historical reports of similar-sized entities in the region where this recent one was located indicate that the area could be a hotbed of activity due to several Sasquatch sightings. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization notes that Pennsylvania is often claimed to be a popular stomping ground for sightings of Bigfoot - ranking the state in the top 10 for most number of reports.

If you can't see the bigfoot photo above, click here.

According to the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society - almost 50 years ago, in 1977 - a family drove along a dark stretch of a nearby roadway where they spotted a six-foot-tall figure covered in shaggy, reddish-brown hair. When they shined their car headlights at it, the creature reportedly disappeared over a 40-foot embankment - never to be seen again.

Reports of the being's height vary - in 2004 in nearby Green County, two friends clocked it at seven foot tall when they spotted something apparently making "cat-like noises" while they were taking part in a bike ride. Nine years later, a man reported one even taller after claiming he saw a figure with caveman-like features standing around eight foot tall off in the distance.

The State of Washington has reported Sasquatch sightings going back to at least the 1800s - clearly showing that this mystery species is not a new concept. Many of these early cases were by eyewitnesses who lacked photos, video evidence, or other technology to back up their claims - so they were often dismissed as misunderstandings or joke sightings.

Modern sightings have to some degree been captured on video or in photos - fueling ongoing conversation about the existence of these giants. Residents in the area of the latest sighting said it's rather common for people to create figures out of iron or other similar materials, either for decoration or to spark curiosity from the public.

A National Weather Service meteorologist moved to calm concerned citizens in the area. They said there is no need for any worry - as what was spotted was likely just something purposely staged to add a bit of fun to people's lives.