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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Reef Brief Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Weather radar shows you where rain, hail and storms are happening now. In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology operates a national network covering most cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. Check the live radar above for your area.
How to read the live radar?
The colours on the radar indicate rain intensity. Light rain shows as blue or green, moderate rain as yellow to orange, and heavy rain or hail as red to purple. Use the loop feature to see how the weather is moving. The live radar above refreshes every few minutes, so you can track storms approaching your location.
What limits radar coverage?
Radar beams travel in a straight line and can be blocked by hills, buildings or the curvature of the earth. That means some areas, especially behind ranges or far from a radar site, may show gaps. For example, weather radar Noosa relies on the Brisbane and Gympie radars, but coastal hills can reduce accuracy. For the most complete picture, combine the live radar with satellite images and ground reports.
Why does the radar have blank spots?
Radar beams are blocked by hills, buildings and the earth’s curvature. Coastal areas, mountain valleys and regions far from a radar site may have limited coverage. Check BOM’s coverage map for your area.
What do the colours on the radar mean?
Blue to green is light rain, yellow to orange is moderate to heavy rain, and red to purple indicates very heavy rain or hail. The legend on the radar display shows the exact scale. Always use the loop to assess movement.
How accurate is weather radar for my suburb?
Radar is highly accurate for general rain areas, but local showers may be missed if they form between radar sites. For city suburbs like weather radar Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, coverage is excellent. For rural areas, combine radar with rain gauges.
For detailed forecasts and hourly updates, visit our Weather Forecast Australia page. For a complete overview of conditions nationwide, see the Australia Weather Hub.