The Bureau of Meteorology’s replacement weather radar in Wyndham is now live, restoring weather radar services to the north-east Kimberley of Western Australia and north-west Gregory district of the Northern Territory ahead of this year’s wet season.
A lightning strike in December 2025 caused a fire that damaged the previous radar beyond repair. The bureau installed a temporary replacement radar to restore services much sooner than a permanent replacement could be delivered.
Installation is now complete, with radar images becoming available to the community on Thursday 22 October.
The temporary radar improves services to the region by providing Doppler wind images and dual-polarisation capability, which were not available on the previous radar. Doppler technology allows the radar to measure wind speed, while dual-polarisation provides additional information to help distinguish different types of precipitation and improve the interpretation of radar images.
The radar was transported from Queensland to Wyndham following engineering works in Gladstone, where it was prepared for installation.
Bureau of Meteorology Hazard Preparedness and Response Manager, North and West, Todd Smith, said the return of radar services was great news for communities across the east Kimberley.
“The return of radar coverage is great news for local communities, giving people access to more detailed information about where showers and storms are tracking as we enter the Wet Season,” Mr Smith said.
“Installing a temporary radar means we’ve been able to restore these services much sooner than waiting for a permanent replacement, with improved radar capabilities in place in time for this year’s wet season.”
Procurement of the permanent replacement radar is underway. The permanent radar will also include Doppler wind and dual-polarisation capabilities, with indicative timelines to be published on the bureau’s website once procurement is complete.
Stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via www.bom.gov.au or the BOM Weather app.
Wyndham radar images are available at Wyndham, Western Australia | Bureau of Meteorology.
