 Radar sites of the network. Indicative radar coverage in 2022. Inner radius (100 km) indicates better coverage. Outer radius (200 km) indicates worse coverage. Note: Does not show coverage degradation from obstructions. | |
| Country of origin | Australia |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Various |
| No. built | 69 |
| Type | C and S bands |
The majority of Australia's weather radars are operated by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), an executive agency of the Australian Government. The radar network is continually being upgraded with new technology such as doppler and dual polarisation to provide better now-casting. Doppler weather radars are able to detect the movement of precipitation, making it very useful in detecting damaging winds associated with precipitation, and determining if a thunderstorm has a rotating updraft, a key indicator of the presence of the most dangerous type of thunderstorm, a supercell.
The new dual polarisation radars give forecasters the ability to:
- detect debris in the atmosphere, leading to more accurate tornado warnings;
- distinguish between different precipitation types, leading to better estimations of hail size and severity;
- better identify areas of heavy rainfall, leading to more accurate flood warnings; and
- discern between precipitation and non-meteorological echoes such as chaff, birds, and insects.
The dual polarisation transition
The transition to polarimetric (dual-polarised) radars began in 2017 with the upgrade of 4 Meteor 1500 radars located in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney. The network has further been enhanced through the installation of 8 new polarimetric Meteor 735 radars across WA, NSW & Victoria, and two polarimetric WRM200 radars manufactured by Vaisala, one to replace the radar in Dampier, WA which had been destroyed by severe tropical cyclone Damien in 2020, and one to replace an ageing radar near Gove in the Northern Territory. Six new Meteor 1700s were also installed between 2021 and 2023, 5 located in Qld, and 1 in Perth, WA, all equipped with dual polarisation technology. All the radars with the model name 'Meteor' were manufactured by Selex ES, now Leonardo.
Specifications are available for the Meteor 735, Meteor 1700, and the Vaisala WRM200.
Future radar network upgrades
The BoM has plans to:
- build a new radar in Tennant Creek;
- replace the radar in Townsville
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory is served by the Captains Flat radar, located in New South Wales.
New South Wales
| Name | Location | Elevation (metres) | Model Name | Beamwidth (degrees) | Range Resolution (metres) | IEEE Frequency Band | Doppler | Dual Pol | Rainfall Accumulations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewarrina | 29°58′S 146°49′E / 29.96°S 146.81°E / -29.96; 146.81 | 149 | Meteor 735 | 1 | 250 | C |  Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
| Canberra (Captains Flat) | 35°40′S 149°31′E / 35.66°S 149.51°E / -35.66; 149.51 | 1383 | DWSR74S14-13 | 2 | 250 | S | Yes
|
 No
|
Yes
|
|
| Grafton | 29°37′S 152°58′E / 29.62°S 152.97°E / -29.62; 152.97 | 40 | WSR74S-14 | 2 | 500 | S | No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Hillston | 33°33′S 145°31′E / 33.55°S 145.52°E / -33.55; 145.52 | 144 | Meteor 735 | 1 | 250 | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
| Moree | 29°30′S 149°51′E / 29.50°S 149.85°E / -29.50; 149.85 | 220 | WF100C-8 | 1.6 | 500 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Namoi (Blackjack Mountain) | 31°01′26″S 150°11′29″E / 31.0240°S 150.1915°E / -31.0240; 150.1915 | 699 | DWSR8502S-14 | 2 | 250 | S | Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Newcastle | 32°43′48″S 152°01′37″E / 32.730°S 152.027°E / -32.730; 152.027 | 84 | DWSR74S14-13 | 2 | 250 | S | Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
| Norfolk Island | 29°01′59″S 167°55′59″E / 29.033°S 167.933°E / -29.033; 167.933 | ~120 | WF100C-8 | 1.6 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
The data from this radar is not in the national radar archive and therefore its metadata is inaccessible. | |
| Sydney (Terrey Hills) | 33°42′04″S 151°12′36″E / 33.701°S 151.210°E / -33.701; 151.210 | 195 | Meteor 1500 | 1 | 250 | S | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
| Wagga Wagga | 35°10′S 147°28′E / 35.17°S 147.47°E / -35.17; 147.47 | 221 | WF100C-8 | 1.6 | 500 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Wollongong (Appin) | 34°15′50″S 150°52′26″E / 34.264°S 150.874°E / -34.264; 150.874 | 449 | DWSR8502S-14 | 2 | 250 | S | Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
| Yeoval | 32°44′S 148°42′E / 32.74°S 148.70°E / -32.74; 148.70 | 487 | Meteor 735 | 1 | 250 | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
The radar suffers moderate beam obstruction between approximately 70° and 130° due to an area of elevated terrain, meaning there is an underestimation of rain intensity in the lowest radar tilt between the same bearings. |
| Kurnell | 34°00′53″S 151°13′34″E / 34.014758°S 151.226227°E / -34.014758; 151.226227 | 64 | WSR81C-12 | 1 | 250 | C | Yes
|
No
|
— | The Kurnell radar is a backup radar and consequently live radar images are not available. Archived radar data is uploaded here |
Northern Territory
| Name | Location | Elevation (metres) | Model Name | Beamwidth (degrees) | Range Resolution (metres) | IEEE Frequency Band | Doppler | Dual Pol | Rainfall Accumulations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs | 23°49′S 133°54′E / 23.82°S 133.90°E / -23.82; 133.90 | 545 | WF100C-8 | 1.6 | 500 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Darwin (Berrimah) | 12°28′S 130°56′E / 12.46°S 130.93°E / -12.46; 130.93 | 51 | Wurrung 2502C | 1 | 250 | C | Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Darwin Airport | 12°25′29″S 130°53′31″E / 12.4247°S 130.8919°E / -12.4247; 130.8919 | 38 | Wurrung 2502C | 1.6 | 250 | C | Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Gove | 12°17′S 136°49′E / 12.28°S 136.82°E / -12.28; 136.82 | 61 | WRM 200 | 1 | 250 | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
The WRM200 radar system replaced an aging WF100 radar in July 2023. |
| Katherine (Tindal) | 14°31′S 132°27′E / 14.51°S 132.45°E / -14.51; 132.45 | 131 | WSR81C-8 | 1.6 | 500 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Warruwi | 11°38′58″S 133°22′48″E / 11.6494°S 133.38°E / -11.6494; 133.38 | 43 | Wurrung 2502C | 1 | 250 | C | Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Queensland
South Australia
| Name | Location | Elevation (metres) | Model Name | Beamwidth (degrees) | Range Resolution (metres) | IEEE Frequency Band | Doppler | Dual Pol | Rainfall Accumulations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide (Buckland Park) | 34°37′01″S 138°28′08″E / 34.617°S 138.469°E / -34.617; 138.469 | Meteor 1500 | 1 | 250 | S | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
||
| Adelaide (Sellicks Hill) | 35°20′S 138°30′E / 35.33°S 138.50°E / -35.33; 138.50 | WF 100C-8 | 1.6 | C | No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|||
| Ceduna | 32°08′S 133°42′E / 32.13°S 133.70°E / -32.13; 133.70 | Wurrung 2502C | 1.6 | C | Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|||
| Mt Gambier | 37°45′S 140°46′E / 37.75°S 140.77°E / -37.75; 140.77 | WF 100C-8 | 1.6 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
|||
| Woomera | 31°10′S 136°48′E / 31.16°S 136.80°E / -31.16; 136.80 | WF 100C-8 | 1.6 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
Tasmania
| Name | Location | Elevation (metres) | Model Name | Beamwidth (degrees) | Range Resolution (metres) | IEEE Frequency Band | Doppler | Dual Pol | Rainfall Accumulations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart (Mt Koonya) | 43°06′44″S 147°48′22″E / 43.1122°S 147.8061°E / -43.1122; 147.8061 | Wurrung 2502C | 1 | C | Yes
|
No
|
Yes
| |||
| Hobart Airport | 42°50′S 147°31′E / 42.83°S 147.51°E / -42.83; 147.51 | WF 100C-6 | 2 | C | No
|
No
|
No
|
|||
| N.W. Tasmania (West Takone) | 41°10′52″S 145°34′44″E / 41.181°S 145.579°E / -41.181; 145.579 | Wurrung 2502C | 1 | C | Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Victoria
| Name | Location | Elevation (metres) | Model Name | Beamwidth (degrees) | Range Resolution (metres) | IEEE Frequency Band | Doppler | Dual Pol | Rainfall Accumulations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bairnsdale | 37°53′S 147°34′E / 37.89°S 147.56°E / -37.89; 147.56 | Wurrung 2502C | 1.6 | C | Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|||
| Melbourne | 37°52′S 144°46′E / 37.86°S 144.76°E / -37.86; 144.76 | Meteor 1500 | 1 | S | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|||
| Melbourne (Broadmeadows) | 37°51′19″S 144°45′19″E / 37.8553°S 144.7554°E / -37.8553; 144.7554 | Wurrung 2502C | 1.6 | C | Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|||
| Mildura | 34°17′S 141°35′E / 34.28°S 141.59°E / -34.28; 141.59 | Meteor 735 | 1 | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|||
| Rainbow | 35°59′S 142°01′E / 35.99°S 142.01°E / -35.99; 142.01 | Meteor 735 | 1 | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|||
| Yarrawonga | 36°02′S 146°02′E / 36.03°S 146.03°E / -36.03; 146.03 | WSR 81C | 1 | C | Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Western Australia
Research Radars
Note:
- Whilst the BoM may/may not own these radars, they are often involved with the radars for research applications.
| Name | Location | Elevation | Operational status | Radar model | IEEE Frequency Band | Doppler | Dual Pol | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPOL | 12°14′42″S 131°02′42″E / 12.245°S 131.045°E / -12.245; 131.045 | 50m | Inactive (6/12/1998 - 2/5/2017) | N/A | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
The data which CPOL has collected is used to study the microphysical and dynamic properties of thunderstorm convection in Darwin, Australia, enabling the improvement of atmospheric models' representations of the convection formed during the pre-monsoon buildup and active monsoon. |
| CP2 | 27°40′08″S 152°51′46″E / 27.6689°S 152.8627°E / -27.6689; 152.8627 | 185.5m | Inactive (1/11/2007 - 1/6/2015) | N/A | S & X | Yes
|
Yes
|
The CP2 Research radar was a 1970's era radar, which the BoM received as a gift from the NCAR in the United States. The BoM retrofitted it with modern parts which gave it the unique ability to collect data at two frequencies, S and X band. The upgrades also provided state of the art dual polarisation and doppler technologies. The CP in its title stands for cloud physics, and the radar has been used to research thunderstorms, drive improvements in rainfall measurements and hail detection and explore the potential for cloud seeding. |
| Ocean Pol | N/A (Mobile radar) | 22m | Active (22/3/2015-) | N/A | C | Yes
|
Yes
|
This research radar is installed on the RV Investigator, an ocean research vessel. The radar collects data on research voyages, including trips to Antarctic waters, Heard Island and circumnavigations of Australia. |
| UQXPOL | N/A (Mobile radar) | N/A | Active (14/10/2014-) | Furuno WR-2100 | X | Yes
|
Yes
|
This research radar is operated by the University of Queensland and has been involved with research to improve hail detection and hail size prediction algorithms, and also with research into bushfires and pyroconvection as part of a $1 million google.org philanthropic venture. |
| Monash University x-band | N/A (Mobile radar) | N/A | Active | Meteor 60DX | X | Yes
|
Yes
|
References
- "Severe Weather 101: Detecting Damaging Winds". NSSL. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "Severe thunderstorms". BoM. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- Lemon, Leslie R.; Ralph J. Donaldson; Donald W. Burgess; Rodger A. Brown (1977). "Doppler Radar Application to Severe Thunderstorm Study and Potential Real-Time Warning". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 58 (11). American Meteorological Society: 1187–1193. Bibcode:1977BAMS...58.1187L. doi:10.1175/1520-0477(1977)058<1187:DRATST>2.0.CO;2. JSTOR 26218232. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "Supercell Structure and Dynamics". NWS. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Dual-Pol Applications". NSSL. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- Luciana K. Cunha; James A. Smith; Mary Lynn Baeck; Witold F. Krajewski (2013). "An Early Performance Evaluation of the NEXRAD Dual-Polarization Radar Rainfall Estimates for Urban Flood Applications". Weather and Forecasting. 28 (6): 1478–1497. Bibcode:2013WtFor..28.1478C. doi:10.1175/WAF-D-13-00046.1. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Alain Protat. "Radar Science and Nowcasting Dual-pol Radar Plans at the Bureau" (PDF). Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "Western Australia Information". Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "New South Wales Information". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "Victorian Information". Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Soderholm, Joshua; Protat, A.; Jakob, C. (2017). "Operation Weather Radar Network Archive (Australia)". NCI THREDDS. Monash University, National Computational Infrastructure, and Australian Bureau of Meteorology. doi:10.25914/5cb686a8d9450. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "Queensland Information". BoM. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- "Project details for sites across Australia". BoM. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "Replacing radars for a more resilient network". BoM. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "Increasing radar coverage across Australia". BoM. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "Radar Upgrades". BoM. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- "NSW Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "Northern Territory Information". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- "NT Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "QLD Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "C-Band Solid-State Radar" (PDF). Meteopress. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- "Mackay Radar Now Live". Media Release-Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- "Brisbane's Upgraded Marburg Radar Now Live". Media Release-Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- "New weather radar at Richmond supports North Queensland communities and industry". BoM. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "COVID-19 restrictions and floods delay delivery of Taroom weather radar". Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- "South Australia Information". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- "SA Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "Tasmania Information". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "TAS Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "VIC Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "WA Radar Sites Table". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- "Weather Radar WRM200". Vaisala. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- "Dataset: Level 1: Radar Volumes/radar_site_list_research.csv". NCI Thredds. National Computational Infrastructure, Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- "CPOL". ARM. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "CPOL Research Radar". Openradar. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "Redbank Plains research radar". BoM. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "Ocean Pol Research Radar". Australian Unified Radar Archive. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- Nicholas McCarthy; Hamish McGowan; Adrien Guyot; Andrew Dowdy. "MOBILE X-POL RADAR A New Tool for Investigating Pyroconvection and Associated Wildfire Meteorology" (PDF). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- Dr Joshua Soderholm; Prof Hamish McGowan; Dr Matthew Mason. "Storm Hazards Testbed" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- Ralic, Marija. "The Google.org grantee using AI to detect bushfire risks". Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- McCarthy, Nicholas; McGowan, Hamish; Guyot, Adrien; Dowdy, Andrew (2018). "Mobile X-pol radar: a new tool for investigating pyroconvection and associated wildfire meteorology". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 99 (6): 1177–1195. Bibcode:2018BAMS...99.1177M. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-16-0118.1. S2CID 85512739. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
See also
Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMapDownload coordinates as: