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Weather Radar

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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Coast Monitor Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.

Check the live radar above for rain and storms moving in your area. Weather radar shows real-time precipitation intensity and movement, helping you plan ahead for the next hour or two.

How does weather radar work?

Weather radar sends out pulses of microwave energy that bounce off raindrops, hail, and snow. The returned signal tells operators how heavy the precipitation is and which direction it’s moving. The Bureau of Meteorology operates a network of radars across Australia, including key sites covering weather radar sydney, weather radar melbourne, weather radar brisbane, and weather radar adelaide. The live radar above pulls from the nearest BOM radar to your location.

What can the radar show me?

Colour-coded echoes on the live radar indicate rain intensity. Light blue or green means light showers; yellow and orange signal moderate rain; red and purple show heavy downpours or hail. You can also see the direction of movement—useful for knowing if a storm is heading your way. For coastal areas, check weather radar gold coast or weather radar noosa to track showers moving inland. The weather radar brisbane bom feed is a reliable source for southeast Queensland.

Radar typeDoppler (measures velocity)
Update frequencyEvery 6–10 minutes
RangeTypically 256 km radius
Best useNowcasting (0–2 hours ahead)
Is weather radar accurate for my exact street?

Radar gives a broad picture of rain over areas of about 1–2 km². Local effects like hills or buildings can cause small differences, so check the live radar alongside your Weather Today report.

Why does the radar sometimes show no rain when it’s raining?

Radar beams can be blocked by mountains or tall buildings, creating blind spots. Very light drizzle may also be below the radar’s detection threshold. Always cross-check with BOM Weather Australia for official observations.

Can I see past radar images?

The live radar above only shows current conditions. For historical loops, use the Bureau of Meteorology’s radar archive or Weather Forecast Australia for longer-range outlooks.