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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Southern Pulse Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
For Melbourne, the live radar above shows the latest rain bands tracking in from Bass Strait, while Sydney’s radar picks up coastal showers moving across the CBD and into the western suburbs. These are real-time scans from the Bureau of Meteorology’s network, updated every six to ten minutes.
How does the live radar show rain and storms?
The radar on this page uses a pulse of microwave energy to detect raindrops and hail in the atmosphere. Colours on the display — from light blue to deep red — indicate increasing intensity, with dark red signalling heavy downpours or potential severe thunderstorm activity. For Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the radar often captures afternoon storm cells building over the hinterland before drifting east toward the coast.
What about radar gaps in regional areas?
Noosa and other parts of the Sunshine Coast rely on the nearby Maroochydore radar, though coverage can be patchy in the far hinterland. Adelaide’s radar sits at Buckland Park, scanning the city and Gulf St Vincent but leaving the Mount Lofty Ranges eastern slopes less resolved. For the most accurate picture, always cross-check with BOM Weather Australia observations at ground level.
Can I use the radar to see if it’s raining right now?
Yes — the live radar above shows current precipitation within the last few minutes. However, very light drizzle or fog may not register clearly, and the beam can overshoot shallow showers close to the ground.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Birds, insects, dust or even wind farms can produce weak returns that look like light rain. The Bureau filters most of these out, but you may still see speckles on calm days, especially over rural areas.
Is the Sydney radar the same as the BOM one?
Yes — the weather radar feed on Southern Pulse draws directly from the Bureau of Meteorology’s operational network at Terrey Hills, ensuring the same data used for official warnings.
Sources
For a deeper look at how these scans feed into Weather Tomorrow forecasts, or to check Severe Weather Warning triggers, head to the Sources & standards page.