Home › Weather › Melbourne Weather Radar 256 Km
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Australia Pulse Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
The 256 km Melbourne weather radar at Laverton (IDR022) shows precipitation intensity and movement across greater Melbourne, the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong, and the Yarra Valley. This range provides a broad regional view, useful for tracking approaching fronts and rain bands up to several hours ahead.
What does the 256 km radar show for Melbourne today?
The live radar above displays reflectivity from the Bureau of Meteorology’s 256 km scan, which updates every 6–10 minutes. The 256 km range is the standard for synoptic-scale weather watching: it captures broad systems moving across Bass Strait, the Otways, and the Central Highlands. For finer detail within 64 km of the city, combine this view with the Melbourne weather page and the Australia weather hub for localised forecasts.
How does the 256 km radar compare to other ranges?
The 128 km radar provides better resolution for the city centre and suburbs, while the 64 km scan (often called the “bom 64 km radar melbourne today”) is best for short-term storm spotting. The 256 km view sacrifices fine detail for wider coverage — ideal for seeing the big picture before zooming in. For a true regional overview, the Melbourne Weather page links to the 512 km radar, which extends across Victoria and into Bass Strait. The Severe Weather Warning page will alert you if the 256 km radar detects organised storms approaching the Geelong or Melbourne area.
Why does the 256 km radar sometimes show false echoes?
False echoes can appear due to anomalous propagation (ducting), where temperature inversions bend the radar beam toward the ground, or from interference by wind turbines and aircraft. These are usually light, stationary returns.
Is the 256 km radar good for tracking Geelong weather?
Yes. Geelong lies about 70 km southwest of the Laverton radar, placing it well within the 256 km range. The Melbourne Weather page includes the geelong weather radar 256 km feed for that region.
Can I see the 512 km radar Melbourne today map?
Yes. The BOM provides a 512 km composite that covers most of Victoria and northern Tasmania. That broader view is linked from the Melbourne Weather page and is useful for tracking large-scale systems days ahead.