New weather radar for Tennant Creek
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is installing a new weather radar at Tennant Creek Airport. Once it’s operating, the radar will give the Barkly region real-time rainfall information, alongside BOM’s existing forecasts and warnings. The radar is expected to be operational by mid-2027.
At a glance
Location: Tennant Creek Airport
Radar type: High-power S-band dual-polarised Doppler radar
Coverage: Tennant Creek, Elliott, and smaller townships and First Nations communities across the Barkly region
Current stage: Site works
Expected go-live: Mid-2027
Delivered by: Bureau of Meteorology
What it means for the region
Weather radar shows where rain is falling as it happens. For the Barkly, that means communities, pastoralists, transport operators, emergency services and aviation users will be able to see local rainfall in real time, rather than relying on forecasts alone. The new radar will be part of BOM’s national observation network, which includes satellites, automatic weather stations and other radars across Australia.
Why Tennant Creek Airport?
BOM chose the airport after considering several possible sites. It already has a BOM lease, a suitable building for the radar equipment, and connection to three-phase mains power. New radar technology that allows taller towers also made it the best fit for this type of radar. BOM worked with the Patta Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC and the Central Land Council during site selection.
Project progress
Radar projects move through six stages: site selection, design, site works, installation, testing and go-live. The Tennant Creek radar is currently in the site works stage. While the radar is being built, Barkly and NT weather information is still available from BOM’s website and the BOM Weather app.
Find out more
For project details and progress updates, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
View radar project updates
Questions or feedback
For questions about the radar project, contact the Bureau of Meteorology
For questions about Tennant Creek Airport please email: Information.tca@ntairports.com.au