Home › Weather › Weather Radar Sunshine Coast
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Down Under Brief Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Sunshine Coast weather radar at Maroochydore (Station ID: 26) provides real-time precipitation data for the coastal strip from Caloundra north to Noosa and inland to the Blackall Range. The live radar above shows the latest 64‑km and 128‑km scans, updated every 6 minutes, giving you a clear picture of approaching showers, storms or clearing conditions.
What area does the Sunshine Coast radar cover?
The Maroochydore radar, located just west of the airport, has a range of 128 kilometres. It covers the Sunshine Coast local government area, including Beerwah, Nambour, and the hinterland towns such as Maleny and Mapleton, as well as the northern Brisbane suburbs and Moreton Bay islands. The 64‑km zoom is best for detailed rain intensity around the coast and adjacent ranges.
How to interpret the radar for a 7‑day outlook?
While the live radar shows only the present moment, combining it with the Bureau’s forecast for the week ahead helps you plan outdoor activities. For a reliable picture of weather in sunshine coast 10 days, look at the radar trends – persistent bands of green and yellow often signal a trough or onshore flow that may linger for days. The sunshine coast radar weatherzone site offers an alternative animation overlay, but the BOM feed remains the official source. Check the weather radar sunshine coast 7 days tab on the Bureau’s app for a loop of the past few hours to gauge movement.
Does the Sunshine Coast radar miss rain to the west?
Yes, the radar beam is blocked by the Blackall Range and the Glass House Mountains, so rainfall west of Maleny and Kenilworth may be underestimated or not detected. For those areas, supplement with local rain gauges or the Brisbane radar.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Birds, insects or a layer of warm air can cause speckled returns near the coast, especially on clear autumn mornings. The Bureau filters out most of these, but you may still see faint green dots that disappear on the next scan.
Can I use the radar to find when rain will reach my suburb?
Yes, the 128‑km loop shows approaching rain bands from the Coral Sea or the north. By noting the direction and speed of movement (visible in the five‑frame animation on the live radar above), you can estimate arrival time within 30–60 minutes.
Sources
For broader coverage, visit the Australia weather hub or check forecasts for Brisbane Weather and nearby Sydney Weather.