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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Southern Monitor Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Weather radar shows where rain, hail or snow is falling in real time, using pulses of radio waves to detect precipitation. The live radar above lets you track approaching showers and storms across your area, updated every few minutes.
How does weather radar work?
Radar sends out a microwave beam that bounces off raindrops, hail or snow in the atmosphere. The returning signal tells the Bureau of Meteorology how heavy the precipitation is and where it’s heading. Colour scales on the map show intensity: green for light rain, yellow for moderate, red for heavy and pink for possible hail. Range is typically 250 kilometres from each radar site, though some gaps exist in remote areas.
What can I see on the live radar above?
The display shows recent rainfall activity across mainland Australia and Tasmania. You can zoom into your nearest city — weather radar for weather radar melbourne, weather radar sydney and weather radar brisbane are all updated from BOM data. Coastal regions like weather radar gold coast and weather radar noosa also appear, though refresh rates vary by site.
Why does the radar sometimes show no rain when it’s raining here?
Radar measures precipitation aloft, not at ground level. Rain may evaporate before reaching the ground, or the beam can be blocked by hills. Check BOM Weather for ground-level observations.
Is the radar the same as a rain gauge?
No. Radar estimates rainfall over a wide area using reflected signals. Rain gauges measure actual water collected at one spot. Radar is better for seeing where rain is moving; gauges are more accurate for totals.