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Thursday, 23 July 2026 · Evening editionSydney ☀ 7°CAUD/USD 0.6993 · AUD/EUR 0.6138About UsOur TeamSourcesContactNewsletter

Weather Warning

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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 current Bureau of Meteorology warnings before heading out – severe weather can develop quickly, and official warnings give the lead time needed to protect life and property. Weather warning Australia relies on a national network of radars and observation stations.

How weather warnings are categorised and what they mean

Warnings fall into five main categories: severe thunderstorm, flood, heatwave, tropical cyclone, and fire weather. Each has defined thresholds – for example, damaging wind gusts above 90 km/h or heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding. The Bureau issues colour-coded alerts: yellow for early advice, orange for elevated risk, and red for imminent danger. A severe weather warning Victoria today might be orange, while a super storm warning for QLD today could reach red if a supercell is detected. For other states, weather warnings NSW today often cover coastal gales, and qld weather warnings today can include inland storms.

Issuing authorityBureau of Meteorology
Warning typesSevere thunderstorm, flood, heatwave, cyclone, fire weather
Lead time1–6 hours for storms; 24+ hours for cyclones
Warnings per yearOver 3,000 severe weather warnings issued nationally
What does a ‘severe weather warning’ mean?

A severe weather warning means damaging winds, heavy rain, hail, or dangerous surf are expected. It signals the need for immediate action to secure property and avoid travel. Check the Severe Weather Warning page for current alerts.

How do weather warnings differ from watches?

A watch indicates conditions are favourable for severe weather, while a warning means the event is imminent or already occurring. Warnings require prompt response; watches allow time to prepare. For state-specific updates, see Queensland Weather Warnings.

Where can I find the latest super storm warning for QLD today?

The BOM website lists all current QLD weather warnings, including severe thunderstorm and supercell threats. For the most recent qld weather warnings today, visit the Queensland warnings page or use the national Australia weather hub.