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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Australia Focus Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
If you’re checking the weather radar, you’re likely wondering what’s heading your way. The live radar above shows current precipitation across Australia, giving you the information you need to plan your day without surprises.
How does the weather radar work?
Weather radar sends out pulses of microwave energy that bounce off raindrops, hail or snow. The returning signal reveals the location, intensity and movement of precipitation. The Bureau of Meteorology operates a national network of radars, including sites near major cities such as weather radar Melbourne, weather radar Sydney, weather radar Brisbane and weather radar Adelaide. The live radar above uses this data to give you a near-real-time picture of what’s falling from the sky.
What can the radar tell you about your local area?
By zooming in on the live radar above, you can see whether rain is approaching your suburb, how heavy it is and how fast it’s moving. For coastal regions like the weather radar Gold Coast or weather radar Noosa, the radar helps you decide when to head to the beach or when to stay indoors. If you rely on official data, weather radar BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) is the most trusted source, and the radar above draws from that network. For a quick check, you can also view weather radar Brisbane BOM to get the most accurate picture for south-east Queensland.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Radar can pick up non-meteorological objects like birds, insects or wind farms. Ground clutter near the radar site also creates false returns. The BOM filters most of these, but some may still appear on the live radar above.
How often is the weather radar updated?
Most Australian radars update every 6 to 10 minutes. The live radar above refreshes automatically, so you’re seeing the latest available scan from the BOM network.
What do the different colours on the radar mean?
Colours indicate rainfall intensity: light green is light rain, yellow is moderate, orange is heavy, and red or purple indicates very heavy rain or hail. The scale is shown on the live radar image.
For more detailed forecasts, visit our Australia weather hub or check today’s weather. If you need official radar data direct from the source, see our BOM weather page.