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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Australia Voice Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
A weather radar detects rain, hail, and storms by sending out radio waves and measuring the echoes returned. The live radar above shows current precipitation across Australia, updated every six to ten minutes, helping you track approaching weather in real time.
How do I read the live radar above?
The live radar above uses colour scales to show rainfall intensity. Light green indicates light drizzle, while yellow, orange, and red signal moderate to heavy rain. Purple often means very heavy rain or hail. Most city-specific radars, such as weather radar Sydney and weather radar Melbourne, update every six minutes. Check the time stamp on the image to ensure the data is current.
What are the main radar locations for Australian capitals?
The Bureau of Meteorology operates radars across all major cities. For weather radar Brisbane, the key site is Mount Stapylton, covering south-east Queensland. Weather radar Adelaide uses the Buckland Park radar. Weather radar Gold Coast and weather radar Noosa are covered by the same network, though Noosa relies on the Marburg and Gympie radars for coverage. Weather radar BOM provides a full list of sites on its website.
Why does the radar sometimes show no data?
Radar outages can occur during maintenance, extreme weather, or when the beam is blocked by mountains. Check the BOM’s radar status page for confirmed downtime. The live radar above will also display a “no data” message when this happens.
Can I use the radar for flood warnings?
Radar shows rainfall intensity, not flood depth. For flood warnings, combine radar data with local river heights and BOM flood bulletins. The live radar above is a useful tool for seeing where heavy rain is falling right now.
How accurate is weather radar for my suburb?
Radar accuracy decreases with distance from the site. Within 100 kilometres, it is very reliable. Beyond 200 kilometres, the beam widens and may overshoot low-level rain. For localised detail, use radar with a 128-kilometre range setting.
For more detailed forecasts, see our Australia weather hub or check today’s weather. If you need to plan ahead, visit Weather Tomorrow Australia or read our forecast guide.