Everyday planning
Check the weather for the hours you will be outside.
A day’s weather icon cannot describe your entire outing. Compare the destination, the activity window and the journey using the forecast and official local information.
Events and outdoor sport
Include setup and pack-up in the forecast window. Note rain timing and wind as well as temperature, and decide who will review updates. Follow the venue or organiser’s weather arrangements. Atmosphr does not provide a lightning detector or an event-clearance decision.
Camping and road trips
Check the overnight period and the route, not only the afternoon at your destination. Open each stop in the detailed forecast, confirm the place and save its link. Use the relevant road authority and land manager for access restrictions; a clear weather map is not evidence that a road or campground is open.
Fishing, beaches and coastal plans
Use the official coastal forecast and warning information for the water activity, and obtain tide predictions for the relevant port. The official tide-table directory explains where to find them. A land forecast and the model sea-level panel are not substitutes for tide tables or marine navigation advice.
What to check, by activity
| Activity | Check on Atmosphr | Check with official sources |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor event or sport | Hourly rain chance, gusts, temperature and UV across setup, play and pack-up | BOM warnings, especially severe thunderstorm warnings; the venue’s weather policy |
| Camping | Overnight minimum, wind and rain at the campsite and on the route | Fire danger rating and total fire bans; land manager closures; road conditions |
| Beach day | UV Index, wind and afternoon storms | Coastal forecast and warnings; local beach safety information |
| Boating and fishing | General wind trend only | BOM coastal waters forecasts and warnings; official tide tables |
| Bushwalk | Temperature at the start, rain and wind trend | Park alerts, fire danger, and the official forecast for exposed or high terrain |
| Road trip | Each overnight stop and the timing of rain along the route | Road authority conditions, flood warnings and local council information |
Thunderstorms and lightning
The Bureau says all thunderstorms are dangerous because they produce lightning, and it classes a storm as severe when it brings damaging winds above 90 km/h, large hail 2 cm or bigger, heavy rain likely to cause flash flooding, or tornadoes. Most Australian thunderstorms form in the warm season, September to March.
NSW SES advises that the safest place during a storm is inside, away from windows. If you are caught outside, the safest place is under secure shelter, away from trees, powerlines, creeks and low-lying areas. Bureau storm spotter guidance, relaying SES advice, adds: seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. Stay out of the water and away from damaging surf, and if a road is flooded, turn around, find another way or wait until the flood eases.
Atmosphr has no lightning detection. A radar loop can show heavy echoes approaching, but it will not tell you where the next strike will be. If storms are forecast for your outing, decide the shelter plan and the call-off point before you start.
Sun, UV and heat
Cancer Council Australia advises following the five SunSmart steps whenever the UV Index is 3 or above: slip on clothing, slop on SPF 50 or higher broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. It notes UV can be strong on cool, cloudy days and that peak UV is usually between 10 am and 4 pm. Atmosphr shows an hourly model UV Index, so you can see which part of your outing needs the most protection.
For heat, look at the apparent (feels-like) temperature and humidity through the hours you will be active, not only the daily maximum, and plan water, shade and a cooler start time.
Wind on the water
The Bureau notes that forecast wind speeds are 10-minute averages at 10 metres, and gusts within any 10 minutes can be 40% stronger. Squalls with fronts or thunderstorms can bring gusts of more than 40 or 50 knots. For boating, paddling or fishing from rocks, use the Bureau’s coastal and ocean forecasts and any marine wind warnings. Atmosphr’s land forecast is not a marine service. For water levels, see the tide guides and king tides.
Fire danger days
Since 1 September 2022, fire danger across Australia has been rated with the Australian Fire Danger Rating System: Moderate (plan and prepare), High (prepare to act), Extreme (take action now to protect your life and property) and Catastrophic (for your survival, leave bush fire risk areas). Check the rating and any total fire ban for the district you are visiting through the state fire agency before camping, bushwalking or lighting a fire. Your state severe weather page links the right agency.
Short checklists
Outdoor event: forecast checked for setup through pack-up; one person responsible for watching warnings; a sheltered place people can move to; a clear point at which the event pauses; marquees and signage secured against gusts.
Camping: overnight low and wind at the campsite; fire danger rating and fire bans for the district; campsite away from creeks and dead branches; a way to receive warnings where mobile coverage is poor; a fallback site.
Beach or water: UV Index and sun protection plan; coastal forecast and warnings; tide times from the official tables; afternoon storm risk; someone ashore who knows your plan and return time.
A simple check before you go
- Find the actual location and confirm the region.
- Review the hourly period for your plan.
- Play recent radar and check its latest timestamp.
- Open official warning and state information.
- Decide when to check again and what alternative arrangement you will use.