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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Coast Pulse Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
A weather radar shows real-time precipitation intensity and movement in your area, displayed on the live radar above. It uses radio waves to detect rain, hail, and snow, giving you a clear picture of what’s heading your way over the next few hours.
How to read the live radar above
The radar above updates every 10 minutes, using colour scales to show intensity. Light blue means light drizzle, while red and purple indicate heavy downpours or hail. The loop animation (usually a few hours of past frames) shows how weather systems are moving, so you can see if a storm is approaching your suburb or if the coast is about to get a drenching. For local accuracy, radar like BOM Weather Australia feeds into this service, covering weather radar melbourne, weather radar sydney, and weather radar brisbane among others.
Where the radar data comes from
The Bureau of Meteorology runs a network of 60+ Doppler radars across Australia, from the populated east coast to remote inland sites. Each radar has a range of about 250 kilometres, though mountainous terrain can create blind spots. The data is stitched together on the Australia weather hub to give you national coverage, including specific sites like weather radar brisbane bom and weather radar gold coast. For regional detail, check weather radar adelaide or weather radar noosa using the layer controls on the map.
Will the radar tell me if it’s raining right now at my house?
Yes, if you can see green or blue over your location on the live radar above, light rain is likely at ground level. Orange or red means heavier showers. Bear in mind the radar beam scans a few hundred metres up, so very light drizzle may not register.
Does the radar show future rain or just current conditions?
It shows the past 90 minutes of movement, so you can see trends. For a forecast beyond that hour, use the Weather Forecast Australia page. The radar is best for immediate nowcasting.
Why is there no radar coverage in some remote areas?
Some parts of central and northern Australia have limited coverage due to low population density. The BOM relies on satellite imagery for those regions. See the Sources & standards page for a map of radar locations.