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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.
A weather radar shows the location and intensity of rain, hail and snow across Australia in near-real time. The live radar above updates every few minutes, making it the quickest way to see approaching storms or showers over your suburb.
How do I read a weather radar image?
The radar returns are colour-coded: light blue or green for drizzle, yellow and orange for moderate rain, and red or purple for heavy downpours and hail. The centre of the radar sweep is the station location—for instance, the weather radar Melbourne site at Laverton covers Port Phillip and the Yarra Valley. The outer edge is typically 128 or 256 kilometres out, so activity near the edge is less precise. Always check the time stamp; a radar that is 20 minutes old may already be out of date for fast-moving storms.
Which capital city radars are most useful?
The Bureau of Meteorology operates radars covering all mainland capitals. Weather radar Sydney (Terrey Hills) scans the coast and Blue Mountains; weather radar Brisbane (Marburg) covers the south-east corner and the Gold Coast. In South Australia, weather radar Adelaide (Sellicks Hill) tracks fronts sweeping across Gulf St Vincent. For the Sunshine Coast, check the weather radar Noosa site at Gympie, and for beachgoers, weather radar Gold Coast data from Marburg is usually the clearest. For the official national feed, bookmark the weather radar BOM page at the Bureau of Meteorology.
Why does the radar sometimes show rain that isn’t reaching the ground?
That is called “virga”: rain that evaporates before hitting the ground, common in hot inland regions. The radar detects the raindrops aloft, but they never reach the surface.
Can I rely on weather radar for bushfire smoke?
Partly. Radar can show smoke plumes from large fires, but it is not designed for smoke detection. For fire location, use the BOM satellite imagery or the state fire service alerts.
How accurate is the weather radar Brisbane BOM feed for local storms?
Very accurate for location and intensity within 60 km of the radar. Beyond that, beam height may cause over-estimation of rainfall; always cross-check with rain gauges at nearby stations.
For the broader outlook, visit our Australia weather hub or check today’s full forecast. If you want a quick peek at the weekend, see Weather Tomorrow Australia.