{
  "id": 8154881,
  "title": "The BOM revamps rain radar on maligned new website",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/the-bom-revamps-rain-radar-on-maligned-new-website",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-18T02:28:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-18/bureau-of-meteorology-website-major-update-to-rain-radar/107167980"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has recently revamped its rain radar on the newly launched website, following a major backlash over its design and usability issues. The $96.5 million overhaul of the BOM website has sparked a wave of criticism, which led to further updates planned for later this year. Almost a year after the launch of the controversial website, the BOM has made significant improvements to its rain radar information.\n\nThe BOM faced a barrage of criticism over the new-look site, which was launched in October of the previous year during a period of intense weather. One of the primary criticisms was the appearance and usability of the new rain radar tool, which prompted the bureau to swiftly alter its color scheme. As a result, the bureau claims it has further enhanced the weather map to make it easier to locate rainfall information.\n\nChief Executive Stuart Minchin stated that the latest update was a direct response to community feedback. He emphasized the bureau's appreciation for the community's reliance on the local rain radar and explained that they had listened to the feedback and implemented these changes to make it faster and easier for users to locate their local radar and estimate the distance of approaching rain.\n\nThe tumultuous year for the national weather forecaster has seen not only backlash over the new website's appearance and usability but also scrutiny over the cost of the revamp, which was later revealed to have amounted to $96.5 million. BOM executives faced questioning in the federal parliament Senate. In August, Dr. Minchin announced an independent review.\n\nDespite the new website's similar appearance to its initial launch, several updates have been implemented. The latest round of changes went live this week, including enhancements to the rain radar and weather map. The updates include the addition of radar locations, radar quick links, and modifications to rainfall display. Radar range rings provide a visual guide to the distance of rainfall from familiar landmarks and locations. A radar locations feature, radar quick links, and clickable radar icons have been added to the site.\n\nRain is now better detected and more accurately displayed on the weather map. Higher definition and detail are provided when observing very light to moderate rainfall, and when data from overlapping radars is used. Dr. Minchin also mentioned further updates planned for later this year, including changes to Australian places with dual names. He encouraged the community to continue sharing their feedback, promising that the bureau would respond with enhancements and adjustments.",
  "summary": "The Bureau of Meteorology has made major updates to the rain radar on its website, nearly a year since its widely criticised launch.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}