Home › Weather › Weather Radar
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Oz Monitorly Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
A weather radar measures precipitation intensity in real-time, showing rain, hail, or snow as colourful blobs moving across your area. The live radar above displays the latest 10–15 minute update, so you can track how fast a storm is approaching and when it will arrive at your doorstep.
How do I read the live radar above?
The colours on the radar indicate rainfall intensity: light green (0.5–2 mm/h), yellow (2–10 mm/h), orange (10–30 mm/h), and red/pink (30+ mm/h, often hail). The scale at the bottom-left shows the value range. Watch the animation loop to see movement direction and speed — if a red patch is moving east at 30 km/h, you’ve got about 20 minutes before it hits if it’s 10 km away.
Where are the main city radars located?
Each capital city has its own dedicated radar. For BOM weather radar data: weather radar melbourne is at Laverton (128 km range), weather radar sydney at Terrey Hills (256 km), weather radar brisbane at Mt Stapylton (256 km), weather radar adelaide at Buckland Park (128 km), and weather radar gold coast at Mt Stapylton (same as Brisbane but zoomed in). For coastal areas, weather radar noosa uses the Maroochydore radar (128 km). Check your local radar on the Weather Today page.
How often does the live radar update?
Most BOM radars update every 6–10 minutes, but some remote sites (e.g., in the outback) may take 15 minutes. The animation on the live radar above shows the last 2–4 hours of data.
Why does the radar sometimes go blank or show weird lines?
Blank areas usually mean no rain within range. Weird lines (spokes or rings) are often caused by interference (e.g., wind farms, birds, or nearby towers) or a radar in “maintenance mode” — check the BOM status page.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward me?
Yes. Look at the animation loop on the live radar above. If a red/orange cell moves steadily toward your location, use the Weather Forecast page for timing. For severe storms, see Severe Weather Warning.