Home › Weather › Weather Radar
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Australia Current Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Check the live radar above to see where rain is falling right now across Australia. Weather radar uses radio waves to detect precipitation, giving you a real-time picture of rain, hail, or snow moving towards your location.
How does weather radar work?
A weather radar sends out a pulse of radio energy. When that pulse hits a raindrop, hailstone, or snowflake, a small amount of the energy bounces back. The radar measures the strength of this returned signal and how long it took, which tells it how heavy the precipitation is and exactly where it is. This is the same data used for BOM weather radar and other services like Australia’s weather hub.
Can I see radar for my city?
Absolutely. The live radar above defaults to a national view, but you can zoom in to see your region. For the most detailed picture, look for your nearest radar site. Major city coverage includes weather radar Melbourne, weather radar Sydney, weather radar Brisbane, and weather radar Adelaide. For those on the coast, check weather radar Gold Coast or weather radar Noosa. The Bureau of Meteorology operates a network of over 60 radar sites, including weather radar Brisbane BOM and weather radar BOM sites across the country.
How far ahead can I predict rain from the radar?
Short term – about 30 to 90 minutes. By watching the direction and speed of rain bands on the live radar, you can estimate when it will reach you. For longer forecasts, check the weather forecast Australia page.
What does the colour scale on the radar mean?
Light green or blue shows light drizzle. Yellow and orange indicate moderate rain. Red and purple signal heavy rain, hail, or intense storms. The scale is usually shown on the left of the live radar image.
Why does the radar show false echoes sometimes?
Birds, insects, smoke, or even buildings can cause weak returns. This is called “anomalous propagation.” The Bureau of Meteorology filters most of these out, but you may still see small patches of light signal that aren’t real rain.