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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.
Check the 256‑km BOM radar loop above for the next hour’s movement: it shows rain‑band direction and intensity in real time. The 512‑km radar gives a broader outlook, while the 64‑km and 128‑km loops reveal finer detail over the city and bay.
What does the Melbourne radar tell me right now?
The live radar above refreshes every 6–10 minutes, showing reflectivity in decibels (dBZ). Light green (below 35 dBZ) is drizzle; orange and red (45–55 dBZ) indicate moderate to heavy showers. Yellow patches often signal thunderstorm cores. Use the 64 km loop for local showers and the 256 km loop to track frontal systems approaching from the west or Bass Strait.
Which radar range should I use?
For a city‑wide check, the 128 km loop covers Melbourne and Geelong. The 512 km scan extends to the Grampians and the NSW border, useful for storm‑watch. The melbourne radar bom site defaults to 256 km – that’s the sweet spot for most suburban forecasts. The bom 64 km radar melbourne today loop is best for seeing whether that afternoon shower will hit your suburb.
Is the Melbourne 128 km radar loop more accurate than the 256 km one?
The 128 km loop shows higher resolution (250 m pixels) and picks up shallow showers the longer‑range scan may miss. Use it for a close‑up of the CBD and inner suburbs.
Why doesn’t the Melbourne 512 km radar show light drizzle?
The 512 km beam is broad and overshoots low‑level moisture. Light drizzle often falls below the beam. Check the 64 or 128 km loop for shallow, light rain.
How do I read the BOM colour scale on the Melbourne radar?
Blue and green = light rain (0–5 mm/h); yellow/orange = moderate rain (10–20 mm/h); red/magenta = heavy rain or hail (50+ mm/h). Grey means no echo.
Sources
For broader outlooks, visit the Australia weather hub or the dedicated Melbourne Weather page. If storms are likely, check our Severe Weather Warning page.