Bowen Radar Notes
| Location | Abbot Point |
|---|---|
| Radar Type | WF 100-6C/8 C Band |
| Typical Availability | 24 hours |
The radar is situated at the top of the hill at the Northern tip of Abbot Point, approximately 25km North West of the Bowen Township. The radar has good coverage over the ocean from North West, through the North, East and South East. Inland, the radar's view is partially obscured by some hills (approx. 700m high) about 10 to 20 km to the SSE and by an isolated hill (approx. 250m high) about 6 km to the WSW. These obstructions may hamper the detection of rainfall in these directions. The radar is well sited for detecting tropical cyclones out over the Coral Sea and for tracking thunderstorms over land. During the winter months when the South East trades winds are active, the radar will be able to detect developing showers. However, it can also be affected by sea clutter during windy conditions when the rough sea surface reflects the radar signal possibly masking light inshore showers.
About Future Radar
Future radar is a new drop-down option available on the Weatherzone radar, allowing you to see where precipitation may fall in the next 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hour timeframe. It is a prediction that uses past radar and satellite data to infer the movement and intensity of precipitation. This differs from observed radar which uses physical instrumentation to measure and render precipitation as it happens.
Future radar performs best with broad scale weather systems. However there are limitations in its performance when volatile convective systems develop and change within a short timeframe, as these scenarios provide local impacts that are difficult to predict in terms of speed, direction, intensity and shape.
To help visually distinguish between past timeframes and future timeframes, the radar animation will show predicted radar imagery at reduced opacity. You have the option to turn future radar on or off as it suits your needs.
Latest News
Map Legend
Lightning Heatmap
- 0.1
- 15
- 60
Lightning Strikes
- Latest
- 15 MINS AGO
- 30 MINS AGO
- 45 MINS AGO
- 60 MINS AGO
Ground Strike
Cloud to Cloud Strike
Obs Field (Rainfall - 10 mins)
- < 0.2
- < 0.6
- < 1.2
- < 2.4
- < 5
- < 10
- 10+
Obs Field (Rainfall - Since 9AM)
- < 0.2
- < 5
- < 10
- < 25
- < 50
- < 100
- 100+
Obs Field (Temperature)
Obs Field (Dew Point)
Obs Field (Wind km/h)
- 0 - 19
- 20 - 30
- 31 - 39
- 40 - 61
- 62 - 87
- 88+
Rain radar
Light
Heavy
Thunderstorm Risk
- Thunderstorms possible
- Thunderstorms likely
- Thunderstorms severe
Temperature Gradient Map
- -8 °C
- -4 °C
- 0 °C
- 4 °C
- 8 °C
- 12 °C
- 16 °C
- 24 °C
- 28 °C
- 32 °C
- 36 °C
- 40 °C
- 44 °C
- 48 °C
Warning Areas (BOM)
- SEVERE WEATHER
- FIRE
- FLOOD
- COASTAL WIND
- MISC.