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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Coast Brief Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Rain radar shows where precipitation is falling in real time, using data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s network of Doppler and weather-surveillance radars across Australia. The live forecast above indicates current echo intensity and movement for your selected area.
How does a weather rain radar work?
A rain radar emits pulses of microwave energy and measures the strength of the signal reflected back by raindrops, hail or snow. The time delay gives the distance, and the signal strength indicates rainfall intensity. Modern radars update every 6–10 minutes, providing near-live coverage for cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
- Doppler radar also detects wind speed and direction inside storms, helping forecast severe weather.
- Radar images are displayed as colour-coded overlays: light blue for drizzle, green for moderate rain, yellow/orange for heavy rain and red for intense downpours or hail.
- Range varies: 64 km, 128 km, 256 km and 512 km products are available for different needs – for example, melbourne weather radar 256 km gives a broad regional view, while 512 radar melbourne today offers extended coverage across Victoria.
- Ground clutter and beam blockage can create false echoes near hills or tall buildings, so always cross-check with Melbourne weather or your local forecast.
Where can I see a live rain radar for my area?
BOM’s free radar viewer is the primary source for vic weather radar live and all Australian regions. Third-party sites like Weatherzone and WillyWeather also incorporate BOM data with user-friendly zoom and animation tools. For rain radar brisbane, the BOM’s 128 km product at Marburg covers the south-east Queensland region; for Sydney, the Terrey Hills radar is the key source.
- Check melbourne weather radar 128 km (located at Mount Bundoora) for detailed short-range precipitation in the city and inner suburbs.
- Use bom 64 km radar melbourne today for high-resolution local views, updated every 6 minutes.
- For visitors, the Weather 10 Days page combines radar outlooks with temperature trends.
Does the rain radar show snow or hail?
Yes. Snowflakes and hailstones reflect radar signals differently – snow appears as lighter, more diffuse echoes, while hail often creates intense, bright returns (sometimes with a “hail spike” radial pattern). BOM radar products do not distinguish automatically; check the Australia weather hub for severe-weather alerts.
Why does the radar sometimes show rain that isn’t reaching the ground?
That phenomenon is called “virga”: rain evaporates before hitting the surface, common in dry inland Australia. Radar detects the raindrops aloft, but ground-based observers see clear skies. Always compare radar echo with surface observations from your nearest BOM weather station.
Is the rain radar for Melbourne the same as for Brisbane?
Every city has its own dedicated radar site – for Melbourne, the Mount Bundoora (128 km) and Broadmeadows (64 km) units are primary; for Brisbane, Marburg is the main site. Switching between melbourne weather radar 256 km and rain radar brisbane requires changing the radar location in BOM’s viewer or your preferred app.