Data sources

Where does our weather information come from?

Elders weather content is provided by Weatherzone and based on content sourced from the following organisations.

• Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
• Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
• World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)
• Swellnet
• Customweather
• European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
• US National Weather Service (NWS)
• Metservice (NZ)
• Department of Natural Resources
• Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
• Global Positioning and Tracking Systems (GPATS)
• British Navy
• Ski.com.au
• Profarmer
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
• UV data supplied by KNMI/ESA
• Environment Canada

Much of the weather information used by Weatherzone originates from the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology.

Bureau of Meteorology information is typically combined with other content and information generated by Weatherzone meteorologists to form the data/information used.

Weatherzone also runs the WRF model in-house to produce a completely independent and highly accurate set of forecasts.

Observations, current conditions and climatological information

These data are sourced originally from the Bureau of Meteorology, Metservice NZ, the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Weather Service. In some cases, Weatherzone applies formulae to the data in order to create additional fields for specific purposes. Examples of these are “wind chill”, “heat stress”, “growing degree days” and so on.

Weather forecasts

Australian weather forecasts supplied by Weatherzone are sourced from Bureau of Meteorology forecasts or created by in-house models. Additional forecasts are provided by overseas providers including Metservice NZ, Customweather and the WMO.

The Bureau of Meteorology also provides marine forecasts, weather warnings and aviation forecasts.

Increasingly, Weatherzone is replacing Bureau of Meteorology forecasts with independent forecasts produced by in-house modelling and meteorologists.

These forecasts are produced by Weatherzone meteorologists using raw information provided by international weather agencies.

River heights and dam levels

These readings are provided variously by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, Department of Natural Resources in New South Wales, Sydney Catchment Authority, Melbourne Water and other local water agencies.

Satellite imagery

All satellite imagery originates from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Weatherzone receives this information via the Bureau of Meteorology.

Weather radar data

All weather radar images provided by Weatherzone originate from the Bureau of Meteorology’s radar network. Raw radar data is delivered to Weatherzone where custom software generates images for web and TV clients.

Sunrise and sunset

Sunrise and sunset times are computed by Weatherzone using formulae that are in the public domain.

Tide times

Tidal times are computed by Weatherzone using hydrographical data originally sourced from the British Navy.

Snow reports

All ski and snow reports provided by Weatherzone are sourced from ski.com.au.

Snow forecasts

Forecasts of snow and alpine conditions and related commentaries are produced by Weatherzone meteorological department. These forecasts are based on data from various sources including the Bureau of Meteorology.

Weather maps and computer generated forecast charts

Weatherzone provides a large range of weather forecast guidance heavily based on computer models. These computer models are run by ECMWF, US National Weather Service and the Bureau of Meteorology.

In most cases these computer generated forecast charts are provided with little or no quality control and should only be used in conjunction with other meteorological guidance.

Regardless of the organisation running the model, all computer forecast models for the Australian region are run using source data collected by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Weather News stories

Stories relating to breaking weather events are produced by weatherzone and also sourced from the ABC.