Today's official Australian outlook
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is the single authoritative source for Australian severe weather. It issues severe-thunderstorm warnings — which explicitly include tornadoes — in real time, state by state. These live pages are always current:
Tip: install the BoM Weather app and enable warnings for your area. A severe-thunderstorm warning can include a tornado — take it seriously.
Does Australia get tornadoes?
Yes. Australia averages dozens of tornadoes a year, and likely many more that go unrecorded across its vast, thinly populated interior. Most are weak, but the country has produced genuinely violent tornadoes, and waterspouts are common off the coasts. They form the same way as anywhere — thunderstorms with strong instability and wind shear — most often from spring through autumn.
Where tornadoes strike in Australia
| Region | Notes |
|---|---|
| Eastern seaboard (NSW, SE Queensland, Victoria) | The most tornado-prone zone, with the densest population and best reporting. Sydney and the NSW coast see repeated events. |
| Southwest Western Australia | A recognised tornado corridor, especially in the cooler months when cold fronts sweep through. |
| Coastal waters | Frequent waterspouts around the whole coastline, occasionally moving onshore. |
The 1970 Bulahdelah tornado in NSW carved one of the longest tracks on record in Australia. Read more in our Australia severe weather guide and the worldwide tornado guide.
Staying safe
During the storm season keep BoM warnings on, and when a severe-thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, move indoors to the strongest part of a sturdy building, away from windows. See our tornado safety guide.