Weather planning
The Bureau of Meteorology produces a range of different forecasts and outlooks.
"Forecasts" are generally available up to 7 days ahead with more detail available on the shorter forecast periods. Climate Outlooks give the likelihood of a shift in our weather patterns away from normal for periods from weeks through seasons ahead. Climatologies can be used to get an idea of "normal" conditions for a particular time of year if it is too far out for outlooks/forecasts.
Range of information by timespan
- Information about forecasts, interpretation of forecasts, radar and satellites
- Within 24 hours
- Less than 7 days ahead
- Between 1 week and 3 months ahead
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- Seasonal climate outlooks provide information about the expected conditions over the upcoming three months
- About climate outlooks
- More than 3 months ahead
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Historical climate statistics can be used to help plan for events in the future. Beyond the range of a climate outlook, climatologies can give us an idea of what the conditions are normally like at a particular time of year.
Past weather, measuring instruments, data and statistics
The Bureau holds a vast archive of weather observations, analyses and statistics. Data that are not yet online are usually available by request, for a cost recovery fee.
How to obtain data from the Bureau of Meteorology
Types of data
- Historical weather station data
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- Climate Data Online provides access to a range of statistics, recent weather observations and climate data from the Australian Data Archive for Meteorology
- Tutorial showing how to use the climate data online map tool
- FAQs about how to get data
- Pacific Island data and information
- Spatial data
- Extremes and weather records
- Datasets for monitoring climate change
- About observations
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- Background information about the Bureau's network and quality control
- How is rainfall measured?
- Rainfall statistic definitions and instrumentation
- How is air temperature measured?
- Temperature statistic definitions and instrumentation
- Statistic definitions and instrumentation for other elements, including sunshine, wind and evaporation
- Guidelines for the siting and exposure of meteorological instruments and observing facilities
- A hundred years of science and service - Australian Meteorology through the twentieth century
- Radar:
- Satellites:
Climate and climate change
Understanding how Australia's climate can vary, and how a changing climate will affect us, helps us to plan for the future. The links below provide some background information into the science of climate change and climate variability.
Topics of interest
- What influences our climate?
- The Australian climate
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- Climatology maps showing average, extreme and variability of conditions across Australia
- Climate classification maps
- Reports and summaries on the recent climate (including current El Niño – Southern Oscillation status and summaries of recent conditions)
- Monthly Weather Review - an informative overview of the temperatures, rainfall and significant weather events for each month
- Climate change
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- Information about climate change, including information about trends in the Australian climate and associated data
- Australian Climate Observations Reference Network – Surface Air Temperature
- Climate change projections for Australia
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- Australian Government Department of the Environment information about climate change
- Information about climate and climate change in the Pacific
- Indigenous Weather Knowledge
Hazards and comfort
The Bureau provides a range of services in support of its role as the major provider of severe weather and disaster mitigation services to Australian emergency management authorities.
Topics of interest
- Thermal comfort
- UV and ozone
- Tropical Cyclones
- Severe thunderstorms
- Volcanic Ash
- Fire weather
- Floods
- Marine and Ocean
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- Information about ocean observations and datasets
- Marine weather and ocean services, including forecasts and observations
- Marine weather knowledge centre
- Marine weather definitions
- eReefs Marine Water Quality Dashboard for monitoring the condition of the Great Barrier Reef
- Information about climate, oceans and tides in the Pacific
More resources
- MetEd (COMET) training resources provides online training modules for a variety of users and skill levels
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) education resources (USA) provides a vast range of learning resources for a variety of age groups
- Learn about the weather (Met Office UK) provides answers to some commonly asked questions as well as general information about the weather and experiments for kids
Other information
- General glossary of weather/climate terms
- Bureau of Meteorology YouTube channel
- Global weather and warnings information
- Other, non-Bureau, providers of environmental data
- Careers at the Bureau of Meteorology
Send a request Contact us for data that is not available online, or if you require further information.