Home › Weather › Adelaide Weather Radar 256
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Southern Focus Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
The Adelaide weather radar 256 km view from Buckland Park captures broad-scale rainbands and frontal systems across South Australia, updating every 10 minutes for regional tracking rather than street-level detail.
What does the 256 km Adelaide radar show?
The 256-kilometre range provides a wide-area snapshot, useful for watching weather approaching from the Spencer Gulf, the southern ocean and the agricultural districts. It is less sensitive to light drizzle than the 64 km or 128 km modes.
- The Buckland Park radar (also labelled as the 512 km radar on some third-party sites) delivers the 256 km product in a standard 10-minute loop
- Use the 128 km or 64 km view for finer detail around the Adelaide Hills and metropolitan suburbs
- Rainbands arriving from the west or south-west appear on the 256 km loop about 30–60 minutes before reaching the city centre
How does the 256 km view help with planning?
For a quick look at whether a trough or front is heading your way, the wide-angle 256 km image is the most efficient choice. Pair it with the BOM 64 km radar for today’s local showers.
- Check the adelaide weather radar 256 today to see if a system is clearing or building
- The adelaide weather radar 256 tomorrow loop helps gauge overnight trends, though forecast charts are more reliable beyond 12 hours
- Combine with a severe weather warning for thunderstorms or damaging winds
For a complete picture of Adelaide weather, combine the live radar above with the BOM 512 km radar composite and local observations. The 256 km view is ideal for tracking systems one to three hours out; the 128 km view gives better definition near the coast.
How often does the Adelaide 256 km radar update?
Every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day. You can see the timestamp on the live radar above. The Buckland Park radar also offers a 512 km composite and a 64 km high-resolution loop for today’s conditions.
Where is the Adelaide weather radar located?
The main operational radar for Adelaide is at Buckland Park, about 40 km north of the city centre near the coast. It covers the metropolitan area, the Adelaide Hills and much of the Mount Lofty Ranges on the 256 km setting.
Which radar range is best for Adelaide rain?
For rain approaching from the west or south-west, the 256 km view is ideal. For local showers already over the suburbs, switch to the 128 km or 64 km mode – they pick up light drizzle and show suburban streets more clearly.