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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Coast Pulse Hub Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Use the live radar above to track rain, storms and cloud cover moving across your area right now. It updates every few minutes from the Bureau of Meteorology’s network of Doppler radars, giving you the clearest picture of what’s heading your way.
How do I read the weather radar map?
Colour-coded echoes show rain intensity: light blues and greens indicate drizzle or light showers, while oranges and reds mark heavy rain or hail. The live radar above can be set to loop recent frames so you can see the direction and speed of approaching weather.
- Lighter colours (blue/green) = light to moderate rain.
- Darker colours (orange/red) = heavy rain, possible thunderstorms or hail.
- Grey or black patches may mean very heavy rain or a radar blind spot.
- Use the map controls to zoom into your city, such as weather radar Melbourne, weather radar Sydney or weather radar Brisbane.
What’s the difference between weather radar and satellite?
Radar actively bounces microwaves off raindrops to measure precipitation – it tells you where rain is falling right now. Satellite imagery shows clouds from above, which helps with broader weather patterns but cannot detect actual rainfall at the ground.
- Radar: rain, hail, storm intensity, wind direction (via Doppler shift).
- Satellite: cloud cover, large-scale systems, cyclones, fog at night.
- For local storm tracking, always favour the live radar. For a daily outlook, visit our Weather Today page.
Why does the radar sometimes show no data in my area?
Each radar has a limited range (typically 150–250 km). If you’re far from a radar site, the beam may overshoot low-level showers. This is common for coastal towns like weather radar Noosa or weather radar Gold Coast.
Is BOM radar data free to use?
Yes, the Bureau of Meteorology provides its radar imagery free for public access. Many third-party sites repackage BOM data. For the most reliable view, check weather radar BOM directly or our live radar above.
Can radar predict rain for tomorrow?
Radar is a nowcasting tool – it’s excellent for the next hour or two, not for tomorrow’s forecast. For longer-range outlooks, see our Weather Forecast Australia page or the 7-day forecast on weather radar Brisbane BOM feeds.
Sources
Explore more local conditions: Australia weather hub, BOM Weather Australia, or Severe Weather Warning for urgent alerts in your city.