Western Australia Radar Site Information
Albany
Location: Albany Meteorological Office, adjacent to Albany Airport
(lat 34.95 deg S, long 117.80 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0001, 0130 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900. * All times WST*
Interpretation Notes:
The Albany radar is rarely affected by false echoes or anomalous propagation
and there are no permanent echoes. There is a blue gum plantation to the
west of the station that obstructs the radar beam, causing a significant
radar "shadow" to the west and south-west. During the winter
months rain bands may be observed moving in from the north-west ahead
of strong cold fronts. Heavy showers occur with the passage of these fronts
with further lines of showers embedded in the strong west to southwest
winds that follow. Large thunderstorm cells can also be seen moving along
just off the south coast prior to the arrival of these strong fronts.
"Cut-off" lows, with their own individual circulation, can occasionally
develop off the south coast in the wake of cold fronts. Such circulations,
when established, are generally slow moving and can produce large areas
of rain and drizzle for days. South to southeast winds accompany such
systems.
During the summer months convective thunderstorms occasionally develop
to the northeast of Albany near the Stirling Ranges and move to the southeast
during the evening. Lightning from these storms creates a great night
display but is a very real fire hazard.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Broome
Location: Broome Meteorological Office (lat 17.95 deg S, long 122.23 deg E)
Type: WF 44 (S Band, 10 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0001, 0130 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900. * All times WST*
Interpretation Notes:
Broome Weather Watch Radar is situated so that it overlooks Roebuck Bay
to the south-east and the wider Indian Ocean ( north to south-west). With
an unrestricted view extending over 250 kilometres and no permanent echoes
to provide conflicting imaging.
During the "Dry Season" ( April to Sept ) very few images are seen. Usually,
the only occasional images appear just to the north of Broome and are
surf breaks at the entrance to Willie Creek. During October and November
distant thunderstorms can be seen extending north-east to south-east.
Usually at a distance of 100 to 150 kilometres they often track towards
Broome, but are decimated by the fresh afternoon sea breezes, seldom getting
to within 50 kilometres of the Broome town site. December is usually characterized
by the thunderstorms and large convective clouds approaching over Roebuck
Bay to the south-east and also from the inland area to the north-east.
These storms often impact the Broome area as the "wet season" gets into
motion.
Anomalous propagation features during most of the year resulting in "false
echoes" being displayed. These low intensity spots, often occur in winter
months, probably as a result of inland fog, and / or sea spray along the
north-west coast.
Cyclone activity in months December to April generally results in widespread
rainfall over land areas north-east to south-east, and generally characterized
by well defined spiralling bands of precipitation revolving around the
"eye" of the Cyclone and may extend as far as 250 kilometres radius of
Broome radar.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Carnarvon
Location: Carnarvon Airport (lat 24.88 deg S, long 113.67 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900. * All times WST*
Interpretation Notes:
The Carnarvon radar has an unrestricted 360 degree view with no permanent
echoes. Some anomalous propagation may occur, usually manifested as false
echoes along the Shark Bay coastline and extending north to include the
islands off Carnarvon. This phenomenon usually occurs due to an inversion
layer or when strong winds whip up spray from large swells just offshore.
During the summer months cyclonic formations may occasionally be observed
out to sea but it is more common to observe cyclones that have crossed
the coast in the north Gascoyne or Pilbara regions, weaken into rain bearing
depressions as they pass through the Gascoyne region tracking south-east.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Dampier
Location: Queens Lookout, East Intercourse Island (lat 20.65 deg S, long 116.69 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 24 hours per day
Interpretation Notes:
Dampier Radar has an unrestricted 360 degree view from its site 50 metres
above sea level, and though no major permanent echoes appear, a small
amount of low intensity clutter may be visible around parts of the coast
and the islands surrounding Dampier and offshore to the west. Dampier
Radar is susceptible to a small amount of false echoes on land during
the dry months. These echoes are characterised by erratic movement and
very low intensities. During the wet season between December and March
anomalous propagation may cause significant false echoes to appear for
distances up to 60 kilometres along the coastline and seaward of it.
During the wet season (primarily January to March), thunderstorm clouds
and cyclonic formations are generally well defined for distances up to
approx 250 kilometres. Beyond that distance signal attenuation gives the
appearance of less intensity than possibly exists. These formations are
easily identified from false echoes by their regular rates in movement
and direction. Thunderstorm activity can be viewed generally on a daily
basis during the wet season, general preferred locations are in a trough
line from the southwest to the southeast of Dampier/Karratha in and about
the ranges. Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation
of all signals. Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes
through intense rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further
along that path reduced.
Esperance
Location: Esperance Meteorological Office (lat 33.83 deg S, long 121.89 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0001, 0130 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900. * All times WST*
Interpretation Notes:
The Esperance Radar, which has its antenna mounted on 10 metre tower,
thus providing coverage from 40 metres above sea level (M.O. at 30 metres
ASL), has an unrestricted 360 degree view with no permanent echoes. Some
anomalous propagation (AP) may occur within 20 kilometres of the radar
site and provides a radar image of echoes appearing to dance around the
station. When very hot conditions combined with northerly winds exist,
speckled AP may be observed. During early mornings, in conditions of very
low temperature, areas of AP may also appear, mainly to the east of station.
The radar has an effective range beyond 250 kilometres and therefore thunderstorms
can be seen further out than Norseman and Balladonia and approaching cold
fronts from the south-west may be observed as they pass through Bremer
Bay.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Eucla
Location: Eucla Meteorological Office (lat 31.68 deg S long 128.89 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900. * All times WST*
Interpretation Notes:
There are no permanent echoes associated with the Eucla radar. During
Summer, with moderate to heavy sea haze thrown up by the afternoon sea
breezes, there may be quite heavy echoes developed up to 50 kilometres
out to sea extending from ESE to SW.
Any approaching weather, generally from the SW through to the NW, usually
has well defined echoes at up to 300 kilometres range.
Thunderstorm and rain areas associated with troughs during Spring and
Summer are quite noticeable and easily tracked.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Geraldton
Location: Geraldton Meteorological Office (lat 28.80 deg S, long 114.70 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0001, 0130 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900
Interpretation Notes:
Geraldton Weather Watch radar has good coverage in all directions. Intense
thunderstorm or cold fronts can be seen up to 250 kilometres away, however
at this distance the radar is sensing the upper structure of the system
and may give an incorrect approximation of the actual surface rainfall
intensity of the system. The radar is susceptible to anomalous propagation
(AP) for distances up to 80 kilometres along the coastline and seaward
of it. The AP appears as an area of low intensity echoes usually around
the Abrolhos Islands (the Abrolhos Islands group stretches from a position
approximately 80 kilometres west of Geraldton running north-west, roughly
parallel to the coast, for approximately 80 kilometres). Heavy rain directly
over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals. Path attenuation
can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense rainfall, with
the returned signals from cells further along that path reduced.
Giles
Location: Giles Meteorological Office (lat 25.03 deg S, long 128.30 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0001, 0130 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900. * All times WST*
Interpretation Notes: NOT YET AVAILABLE
Halls Creek
Location: Halls Creek Meteorological Office (lat 18.23 deg S, long 127.66 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2100 - 0001, 0130 - 0700, 0900 - 1300, 1430 - 1900
Interpretation Notes: NOT YET AVAILABLE
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Location: Adjacent Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport (lat 30.79 deg S long 121.45 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 2030 - 0115, 0230 - 0715, 0900 - 1315, 1430 -
1915. * All
times WST *
Interpretation Notes:
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder radar has good coverage in all directions, due
mainly to the flat topography of the area. The local Goldmine Dumps (5
Km in the NE quadrant) do not affect the radar signal. During the Summer
months severe thunderstorms can sometimes be seen to the maximum range
of 250 kilometres, even though smaller showers cannot be seen at this
range. In the Winter months, general rain areas can be detected, these
can cover a great area and generally move from the northwest. Winter Thunderstorms
can also be detected, although these generally don't achieve the intensity
of Summer thunderstorms.
As a general rule the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Weather Watch radar has a coverage
of Leonora to the North, Norseman to the South, Southern Cross to the
West and Zanthus to the East.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Go to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder
radar
Learmonth
Location: Cape Range National Park (lat 22.10 deg S long 114.00 deg E)
Type: TVDR 2500 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 24 hours per day
Interpretation Notes:
The Learmonth radar has 360 degree unimpeded view of the area and is approximately 330 metres above sea level. Radar images can be subject to anomalous propagation of the radar signal which results in false echoes along Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo Reef is in close proximity to the shore and follows the western coastline of North West Cape. False echoes caused by reflections off the hills in the inland Pilbara can also be observed from time to time in the south-east quadrant of the radar image out to a range of 250 km. This anomalous propagation is easily identified and is displayed as a mass of low intensity echoes constantly changing shape with no apparent direction of movement. True rain echoes normally have a consistent direction of movement from one scan to the next. Echoes within approximately five kilometres of the radar and overhead can be poorly resolved as the scanning elevation is too low.
Perth
Location: Roof of Dumas House, 2 Havelock St West Perth (opposite Kings Park).
(lat 31.95 deg S, long 115.84 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 24 hours per day.
Interpretation Notes:
Perth Weather Watch radar has good coverage in all directions. Intense
thunderstorm or cold fronts can be seen up to 250 kilometres away, however
at this distance the radar is sensing the upper structure of the system
and may give an incorrect approximation of the actual surface rainfall
intensity of the system.
The radar is susceptible to anomalous propagation (AP) for distances up
to 60 kilometres along the coastline and seaward of it. The AP appears
as an area of low intensity echoes. A local phenomenon which has been
observed occasionally is that of false mirror echoes approaching the radar
from the southeast as an intense cold front approaches from the south
west.
Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals.
Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense
rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path
reduced.
Port Hedland
Location: Port Hedland Airport (lat 20.37 deg S, long 118.63 deg E)
Type: TVDR-2500 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 24 hours per day
Interpretation Notes:
The Radar is located at the airport approximately 7km from the coast on
flat open country with few trees. The coastline runs broadly from the
northeast to the southwest. The terrain within 100km is generally lower
than 200m above mean sea level (amsl). Between 100 and 200km the land
rises to around 450m amsl. Ground above 500m amsl occurs to the south
west at around 300km. These features are mostly beyond the geographical
horizon, thus ensuring that the radar's horizon is unobstructed and that
there are no significant restrictions to radar coverage. The radar is
well located to detect tropical cyclones and storms as they approach or
develop over the ocean. During the wet season, tropical cyclones and thunderstorm
clouds are generally clearly visible on the radar for distances of up
to approximately 250 km. It is common in the wet season (primarily January
to March) for thunderstorm cells to form to the South of Port Hedland,
with individual cells sometimes merging to form a line of storms running
in a NE/SW direction, anywhere from 60 km to 200 km South of Port Hedland.
Favourable locations for thunderstorm activity, as seen on the radar in
these events, are generally over the ranges to the South of Port Hedland.
In strong wind conditions the radar may detect the rough sea surface and
show "sea clutter" over the ocean. It can often be difficult to differentiate
between sea clutter and light precipitation. During the dry season, the
radar may experience effects of "anomalous propagation". At these times
the radar beam is more strongly curved towards the earth and features
normally beyond the radar's horizon may become visible on the display.
These anomalous features may appear like discrete patches of light rainfall.
Wyndham
Location: Five Rivers Bastion, overlooking the town of Wyndham (lat 15.45 deg S, long 128.12 deg E)
Type: WF 100 (C Band, 5 centimetre wavelength)
Availability (Typical): 24 hours per day
Interpretation Notes:
Wyndham Radar has an unrestricted 360 degree view from a commanding site
350 metres above sea level. Though no major permanent echoes appear, a
small amount of low intensity clutter may be visible around parts of the
coast and the surrounding islands. Wyndham Radar is occasionally
susceptible to varying amounts of false echoes over the land, particularly
during the dry months. Such echoes are generally characterised by erratic
movement and on occasion may show significant intensity. During the wet
season between December and March, anomalous propagation may cause false
echoes to appear for distances of some tens of kilometres along the
coastline and seawards. The installation dates from mid-2001 and it may
take some time to gain particular experience with these anomalous effects
which vary both seasonally and with time of day. Comparison with satellite
images is often helpful in identifying spurious radar echoes. During the
wet season (primarily January to March), thunderstorm clouds and cyclonic
formations are generally well defined for distances up to 250 kilometres
and occasionally further for structures which extend to high altitudes.
Beyond that distance attenuation effects may give the appearance of less
intensity than possibly exists. These formations are easily distinguished
from false echoes by their general appearance and behaviour, e.g. regular
rates of movement in distance and direction. Thunderstorm activity can
often be seen on a daily basis during the wet season. Heavy rain directly
over the radar site can cause attenuation of all echoes. Path attenuation
can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense rainfall, with
the returned signals from cells further along that path reduced. Extreme
effects of this kind are generally fairly short lived as the rain bearing
systems tend to move relative to the radar and to each other.