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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Oz Briefly Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
The Bureau of Meteorology Launceston radar (site TFL) has a 512 km range and scans every 6 minutes. The live radar above shows rain, hail and storm cells approaching the city from Bass Strait or the Central Highlands.
What does the Launceston radar show?
Data from the radar covers northern Tasmania, including the Tamar Valley, the Meander Valley and the north‑east coast. Green to yellow echoes indicate light to moderate rain; orange to red signals heavier downpours or hail. The radar also picks up strong wind patterns (Doppler effect) when storms are close, helping you spot rotation.
How often is the data updated?
The radar refreshes every 6 minutes – typical for C‑band doppler radars in Australia. Each frame shows reflectivity (rain rate) and can be looped to see movement. For the latest snapshot, check the live radar above or the Bureau’s four‑frame rainfall‑rate product.
Can I see snow on the Launceston radar?
Yes, snow appears as faint, diffuse echoes, often at higher elevations during winter. The radar can detect large ice particles, but ground‑based validation (e.g. snow depth observations) is needed to confirm accumulation.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Anomalous propagation (ducting) can send the beam to the ground, creating “false rain” near mountains or coasts. Birds, wind farms and aircraft also produce temporary speckles. The live radar above includes a quality‑control filter to reduce these.
Is the Launceston radar useful for tracking hail?
Yes. Hailstones produce very high reflectivity (deep red/pink on the radar). The cell’s intensity, height and the presence of a “hail spike” (a thin line behind the core) are strong indicators. Check the live radar above during storm warnings.
Sources
For a wider view of Tasmania weather radar live feeds, visit our Australia weather hub. To see rain chances over the next week, check the weather in Launceston 10 days forecast.