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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 live radar above shows rain, storms and cyclones moving across Queensland, updated every six minutes from the Bureau of Meteorology’s 17-radar network.
What does the Queensland weather radar show?
The radar detects precipitation intensity and movement across the state, from the southeast to the far north. Use it to track approaching weather in real time.
- Rain intensity – colours from light blue (drizzle) to dark red (heavy downpour) indicate strength.
- Storm cells – severe thunderstorms show as bright red or violet patches, often with fast movement.
- Cyclone monitoring – the radar is vital for watching tropical lows and cyclones near the Queensland coast, including the Coral Sea.
- Coverage areas – includes Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and inland regions.
How can I use the radar for cyclone and severe weather tracking?
The live radar above is the quickest way to watch storm development and cyclone rainbands approach the Queensland coast. Combine it with BOM radar Australia live feeds and live weather satellite Australia images for a full picture.
- Cyclone tracking – check the Queensland weather radar live cyclone loop to see rotation and rainbands.
- Hourly overlays – use the Queensland weather radar live hourly animation to estimate arrival times.
- Regional views – for focused coverage, see south Queensland weather radar live (Brisbane area) or north Queensland weather radar live (Cairns to Townsville).
- Third-party tools – qld radar Weatherzone and other services provide additional layers like wind and lightning.
Why does the radar sometimes show no data?
Radar can be affected by heavy rain attenuation, technical outages or scheduled maintenance. The Bureau of Meteorology usually indicates outages on its status page.
What do the different colours mean?
Light blue to green indicates light rain; yellow to orange is moderate rain; red to violet signals heavy rain, hail or intense storm cores.
Can I use the radar for Gold Coast weather radar live satellite overlays?
The live radar above shows precipitation, not satellite imagery. For a combined view, use Gold Coast weather radar live satellite products that overlay radar on satellite cloud images.
Sources
For broader forecasts, see our Australia weather hub. For coastal updates, visit Gold Coast Weather. Stay informed with Severe Weather Warning pages.