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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Aussie Briefly Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Weather radar is a vital tool for tracking rain, hail and storms in real time. The live radar above shows the latest observations across Australia, from the Bureau of Meteorology’s national network. Check it before heading out, especially in variable spring weather.
How do I find live radar for my city?
The BOM operates 69 radars covering most populated regions. For weather radar Melbourne, the Laverton and Broadmeadows sites provide clear coverage. Weather radar Brisbane relies on the Marburg and Mt Stapylton radars; weather radar Sydney uses Terrey Hills and Wollongong. Weather radar Adelaide comes from Buckland Park, while weather radar Gold Coast and weather radar Noosa are both served by the Marburg radar network. For the most authoritative view, always check weather radar BOM pages on the Bureau’s site.
How does the live radar work?
The radar emits pulses of microwave energy that bounce off raindrops, hail and snow. The strength of the returned signal is converted into a colour-coded map showing precipitation intensity. The BOM radar network updates every six minutes, giving you near‑real‑time information for your area.
How often is the radar data refreshed?
Most BOM radars produce a new image every six minutes, though some remote sites update every ten minutes. The live radar above shows the most recent available scan.
Can terrain block the radar beam?
Yes. Hills, mountains and tall buildings can create gaps or “shadow zones” where precipitation is not detected. That’s why BOM uses multiple overlapping radars, especially for cities like Sydney and Brisbane.
What do the colours on a radar image mean?
Lighter colours such as blue and green indicate light rain or drizzle. Yellow and orange show moderate to heavy rain, while red and pink point to very heavy rain, hail or intense storms.