BOM Cyclone Tracker: How to Read the Official Map

Oliver Lachlan Thompson Smith • 2026-05-31 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

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1. “Bottom line: The BOM cyclone tracker is the legal warning system for tropical cyclones in Australia. For residents in cyclone zones: trust BOM warnings first. For travellers: check the map before heading to northern coasts.”
– Actor: BOM cyclone tracker / residents / travellers
– Consequence: stated for each actor
– This is good.

2. “Bottom line: Queensland residents should use the regional cyclone page or BOM Weather app for location-specific alerts. The app is free, ad-free, and lets you track storms affecting your home, workplace, and holiday spot.”
– Actor: Queensland residents
– Consequence: stated
– This is good.

Both tldr blocks pass Gate 14.6.

Now, for Gate 14.7 – the summary ending. The summary is:
“The BOM cyclone tracker is more than a map — it’s a safety system that guides decisions from Cairns to Fremantle during cyclone season. For Australians living in cyclone-prone areas, the choice is clear: check the BOM tracker before you plan your week, and act immediately when a warning zone includes your location. Ignoring the coloured shades could mean the difference between staying safe and being caught in the path of a Category 5 storm.”

The final sentence: “Ignoring the coloured shades could mean the difference between staying safe and being caught in the path of a Category 5 storm.”

This sentence has an implied actor (people who ignore the shades) and states a consequence. But Gate 14.7 says it must name an actor and state consequence. The actor is implicit, not explicit. Let me rewrite.

New final sentence: “People who ignore the coloured shades risk being caught in the path of a Category 5 storm instead of staying safe.”

Or more directly: “Residents who ignore the coloured shades risk their safety when a Category 5 storm approaches.”

Let me keep the original intent but make it explicit.

OK, let me finalize all changes and write the output.

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Here’s my plan for the blockquotes:

Blockquote 1 (keep as blockquote, from BOM):
“The tropical cyclone track map is produced when a cyclone forms, or is expected to form. It shows the forecast movement, intensity, and watch or warning zones.”
Cite: Bureau of Meteorology (Australia’s national weather authority) Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)

Blockquote 2 (convert to prose):
“The Bureau of Meteorology also warns that even outside the forecast cone, risks from storm surge, heavy rain, and strong winds remain.”
With citation link.

This gives me one blockquote (from BOM) and no other blockquotes, which means I only have one speaker in blockquotes. But Gate 9 says if all blockquotes are from the same speaker, fix it. If I only have one blockquote, I need at least 2 different speakers.

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Let me keep both blockquotes from BOM but note that one is from “Bureau of Meteorology, official cyclone warning services” and the other from “Bureau of Meteorology (Australia’s national weather authority)” – these are the same source but different departments/titles. Gate 9 says “if all blockquotes are from same speaker” – same speaker is Bureau of Meteorology.

I’ll convert one to prose to avoid the issue.

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So I can convert repeats to paraphrased prose. Let me convert the second blockquote to prose.

OK, I’ll convert the second blockquote to a regular paragraph with citation.

Let me now write the

If you’ve ever stared at a cyclone map on the Bureau of Meteorology website wondering what all the colours and lines mean, you’re not alone. The BOM cyclone tracker is Australia’s official tool for following tropical cyclones, and it packs more information than meets the eye.

Average cyclones per year in Australian region: 11 ·
Official cyclone warning source in Australia: Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) ·
BOM cyclone forecast map update frequency: Every 6 hours ·
Peak cyclone season for Australia: November to April

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

BOM is Australia’s official cyclone warning authority (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
Maps show current position, path, and intensity (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
Updated every 6 hours or more during active cyclones (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))

2What’s unclear

Exact update frequency during extreme events may increase to hourly (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
Third-party tracker refresh rates are not always documented

3Timeline signal

Peak cyclone season November–April (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
BOM issues updated maps every 6 hours during cyclones (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))

4What’s next

Check BOM warnings page for latest bulletins (Bureau of Meteorology (tropical cyclone portal))
Subscribe to BOM Weather app notifications (Get Ready Queensland (state disaster preparedness))

The table below summarises the key specifications of the BOM cyclone tracking service.

Key facts about the BOM cyclone tracker
Attribute	Value
Official cyclone tracker website	bom.gov.au/cyclone (Bureau of Meteorology (tropical cyclone portal))
Current cyclone warnings	bom.gov.au/cyclone/warnings (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
Number of cyclones per season (average)	11 (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
Forecast horizon	7 days (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
Update frequency	Every 6 hours (or more during active cyclones) (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))

What is a BOM cyclone tracker?

The BOM cyclone tracker is the Bureau of Meteorology’s interactive map and warning system for tropical cyclones affecting Australia. It’s the official source for all cyclone watches, warnings, and forecast tracks in the Australian region, including waters around Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia.

How does the BOM cyclone tracker differ from other trackers?

Unlike third-party weather apps, the BOM tracker is produced by Australia’s national weather authority. It uses data from the Bureau’s own network of radars, satellites, and weather stations, combined with global ensemble models (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)). The maps show official watch and warning areas that carry legal weight for emergency services and insurers.

Why is the BOM the official source for cyclone warnings?

Under Australian law, the Bureau of Meteorology is the sole issuer of tropical cyclone warnings. When a cyclone is likely to produce winds of 63 km/h or greater over communities within 48 hours, BOM issues a Tropical Cyclone Advice (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)). No other source can replace this official alert.

Bottom line: The BOM cyclone tracker is the legal warning system for tropical cyclones in Australia. For residents in cyclone zones: trust BOM warnings first. For travellers: check the map before heading to northern coasts.

The implication: relying on any source other than BOM for official warning decisions puts you outside the legal warning framework that emergency services and insurers follow.

How do I use the BOM cyclone tracking map?

Follow these steps to read the BOM cyclone tracking map like a pro.

Step-by-step to access the BOM cyclone tracking map online

Go to bom.gov.au and click the “Tropical Cyclone” link under the “Weather & Climate” menu (Bureau of Meteorology (tropical cyclone portal)).
Look for the current cyclone map or the “Track Map” link. The map appears when a cyclone is active or expected to form (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).
Click on any cyclone icon to open a detailed bulletin with current location, intensity, and forecast track.
Check the coloured warning areas: dark orange shading means a warning (gales expected within 24 hours), light orange means a watch (gales possible within 24–48 hours) (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).

What each symbol and colour on the BOM cyclone map represents

Cyclone track line: The most likely path over the next 72 hours (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).
Shaded cone: The area where the cyclone centre may move – it’s the uncertainty zone.
Yellow icons: Past track positions with time stamps.
Red/orange icons: Current cyclone position with category (1–5).
Dark orange shading: Warning area – gale-force winds expected within 24 hours.
Light orange shading: Watch area – gale-force winds possible within 24–48 hours.

The catch

Even if your town lies outside the cone, BOM warns you can still be at risk from storm surge, heavy rain, and strong winds well beyond the forecast track (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).

The implication: always follow the watch and warning shades, not just the track line.

Where can I find the BOM cyclone tracker for Queensland?

BOM cyclone warnings specific to Qld region

Queensland’s cyclone tracker is accessible directly from the Bureau’s tropical cyclone page. BOM issues region-specific warnings for Qld coastal areas from the Gulf of Carpentaria down to the Gold Coast (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)). During an active cyclone, the map zooms into the affected area with local forecasts and evacuation advice.

How to track cyclones approaching Queensland coast

Open the BOM website, select “Queensland” from the regional maps, and then click “Tropical Cyclone Warnings.” The BOM Weather app also lets you set notifications for up to three locations, including Qld towns (Get Ready Queensland (state disaster preparedness)). You’ll receive push alerts when a cyclone watch or warning is issued for that area.

Bottom line: Queensland residents should use the regional cyclone page or BOM Weather app for location-specific alerts. The app is free, ad-free, and lets you track storms affecting your home, workplace, and holiday spot.

The pattern: regional pages give you the most relevant data for your location, with warnings that match local evacuation zones.

Does the BOM have a live cyclone tracker map?

How live is the BOM cyclone tracker?

The BOM tracker updates every six hours as a standard, but during active cyclones the Bureau may issue updates more frequently (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)). The map uses the latest satellite imagery, radar, and observations to show the cyclone’s current position and short-term forecast.

Difference between BOM live map and forecast map

The “live” map shows real-time satellite overlay and the latest advisory position. The forecast map projects the cyclone’s track up to 7 days ahead, with a cone of uncertainty. BOM explains that the forecast confidence decreases with lead time (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)). For day-to-day tracking, the 72-hour forecast is the most reliable.

What to watch

While the satellite imagery refreshes from space, the track forecast is a model output. BOM updates the map with each new advisory – during a fast-moving cyclone, check back every 3 hours.

The catch: a “live” satellite view does not mean the forecast track is live — the path projection updates only with each new BOM advisory.

How to check cyclone warnings today on BOM?

Current cyclone warnings as of today

Visit the BOM Cyclone Warnings page (Bureau of Meteorology (tropical cyclone portal)) to see active warnings. If no cyclone is threatening, the page will state “No current warnings.” Warnings are also displayed on the BOM home page via a yellow bar and the yellow triangle icon in the top-right corner (Bureau of Meteorology (official video guide)).

How to subscribe to BOM cyclone alert notifications

Download the free BOM Weather app for iOS and Android. According to Get Ready Queensland, the app lets you set up notifications for up to three locations and is completely ad-free (Get Ready Queensland (state disaster preparedness)). Enable “severe weather alerts” in the app settings to receive cyclone warnings directly.

How accurate is the BOM cyclone forecast?

Understanding forecast confidence on BOM cyclone track maps

BOM uses ensemble models to predict cyclone paths, and the forecast cone represents the range of possible tracks. The 24-hour forecast is typically accurate to within 50–100 km; the 7-day forecast has much wider uncertainty (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).

What reliability do BOM 7-day cyclone forecasts have?

A 7-day cyclone forecast is an experimental product using global models. BOM itself cautions that the uncertainty grows significantly after 72 hours. For safety planning, the 72-hour track map and the watch/warning areas are the most actionable tools.

The trade-off

Forecast accuracy vs lead time: at 24 hours the cone is narrow, giving high confidence for evacuation decisions; at 7 days the cone covers thousands of kilometres. Use the 7-day map for awareness, not for final planning.

What this means: base your evacuation decisions on the 72-hour map and the coloured warning zones, not on the long-range cone.

Are there third-party cyclone trackers besides BOM?

How do third-party cyclone trackers compare to BOM?

Several third-party sites like Tim’s Weather and MetService offer alternative cyclone visualisations. They may refresh more frequently or provide different overlays, but they are not the official warning source. BOM remains the authoritative source for cyclone warnings in Australia (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).

When to use alternative cyclone trackers

Third-party trackers can be useful for satellite loops, lightning data, or social media integration. However, for official advice, always cross-check with the BOM cyclone tracker. Emergency services and insurance companies base decisions on BOM warnings, not third-party maps.

Cyclone timeline: when to monitor and act

November–April: Peak Australian cyclone season. Start checking the BOM cyclone page weekly.
When a cyclone forms: BOM begins regular bulletins and track maps. Check at least every 12 hours.
Every 6 hours during cyclone: BOM issues updated forecast map and warnings. Monitor continuously.
24–48 hours before landfall: BOM issues detailed landfall warnings and evacuation advice. Act immediately.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)

Confirmed facts

BOM is the official source for cyclone warnings in Australia (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
BOM cyclone tracker maps update every 6 hours (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
BOM provides 7-day forecast maps (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority))
The BOM Weather app is free and ad-free (Get Ready Queensland (state disaster preparedness))

What’s unclear

Exact update frequency during extreme events (may increase to hourly)
Third-party tracker refresh rates are not always documented
How BOM’s ensemble model performance compares to other global models

“The tropical cyclone track map is produced when a cyclone forms, or is expected to form. It shows the forecast movement, intensity, and watch or warning zones.”

— Bureau of Meteorology (Australia’s national weather authority) Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)

The Bureau of Meteorology also warns that even if you are outside the forecast cone shown on the map, risks from storm surge, heavy rain, and strong winds remain (Bureau of Meteorology (national weather authority)).

The BOM cyclone tracker is more than a map — it’s a safety system that guides decisions from Cairns to Fremantle during cyclone season. For Australians living in cyclone-prone areas, the choice is clear: check the BOM tracker before you plan your week, and act immediately when a warning zone includes your location. Residents who ignore the coloured shades risk being caught in the path of a Category 5 storm when they could have stayed safe by heeding BOM warnings.

Additional sources

bom.gov.au

For real-time updates during severe weather events, the live Cyclone Alfred tracker map offers current paths and warnings directly from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Frequently asked questions

What is the BOM cyclone tracker used for?

It’s used to monitor tropical cyclones in the Australian region, providing real-time positions, forecast tracks, and official watch/warning zones.

How do I find the BOM cyclone tracker online?

Go to bom.gov.au, then click “Tropical Cyclone” under Weather & Climate. The active tracker appears when a cyclone is current.

What do the colours on the BOM cyclone map indicate?

Dark orange shading means a warning (gales within 24 hours); light orange means a watch (gales within 24–48 hours). The shaded cone shows where the centre may move.

Can I see live satellite images on the BOM cyclone tracker?

Yes, the map includes satellite imagery overlay, updated regularly from geostationary satellites.

How often does the BOM cyclone tracker update?

Standard update is every 6 hours, but more frequent during active cyclones.

Is there a BOM cyclone tracker app for mobile?

Yes, the free BOM Weather app provides cyclone warnings and alerts for up to three locations. Download from official app stores.

How accurate are BOM cyclone forecasts for 7 days?

Accuracy decreases with lead time. The 72-hour forecast is the most reliable; the 7-day forecast has wide uncertainty and should be used for awareness only.

What should I do when a cyclone warning is issued by BOM?

Follow the advice in the warning bulletin. If you are in a warning zone, secure your property, prepare emergency supplies, and be ready to evacuate if advised by local authorities.