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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.
The live forecast above shows the current conditions for your area, but for the most detailed real-time view of rain and storms, the Bureau of Meteorology’s radar network is the go-to tool—often referred to as weather zone radar when checking specific regions like Sydney or Melbourne.
What is the weather zone radar, and how do I read it?
Weather zone radar refers to the network of Doppler radars operated by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) across Australia. Each radar site covers a radius of about 250 kilometres, showing precipitation intensity in colour—green for light rain through to red for heavy downpours and hail. The BOM radar is updated every six to ten minutes, making it essential for tracking approaching fronts or storms in your local weather zone. You can check the Australia weather hub for links to your nearest radar site.
How does rain radar differ from a forecast?
While a forecast predicts what might happen, the rain radar shows what is happening right now. It’s particularly useful for short-term planning—like deciding when to head out or if a storm is about to hit your suburb. Services like Weatherzone and Elders Weather also repackage this BOM data into user-friendly maps, often labelled as weather zone radar NSW or weather zone radar Melbourne. For severe storms, always pair radar with official severe weather warnings.
Is weather zone radar the same as BOM radar?
Yes, in practice. “Weather zone radar” is a common term for BOM’s radar network, often used by third-party sites like Weatherzone. The underlying data always comes from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Can I see weather radar for my specific suburb?
Most radars cover a broad region. For a suburb-level view, zoom into the BOM radar map or use a service like Weatherzone that overlays suburb boundaries. For city-specific radar, check weather zone radar Sydney or weather zone radar Melbourne.
How accurate is the rain radar for tomorrow’s weather?
Radar shows current precipitation only—not future rain. For tomorrow’s forecast, rely on BOM’s forecast models, not radar. Use radar to confirm if rain is arriving in the next hour or two.