Hail Storm Warnings in Australia: How to Check Alerts and Prepare

Dark clouds can roll in quickly, and a hail alert may leave you wondering whether the storm is headed toward your suburb or what to protect first. In Australia, the most reliable starting point is the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM): open its BOM warnings and alerts page or the free BOM Weather app, look for a Severe Thunderstorm Warning affecting your area, and follow any directions from your state or territory emergency service.

If hail is forecast, move people and pets indoors, put vehicles under solid cover if it is safe, and stay away from windows. Do not venture outside to save a car or outdoor furniture once hail, lightning, or dangerous winds have begun.

What does an Australian hail storm warning mean?

The BOM usually covers hail within a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, rather than publishing a separate nationwide alert called a “hail warning.” A thunderstorm qualifies as severe when it is producing or expected to produce one or more hazards, including large hail at least 2 cm (0.8 inches) across, wind gusts of at least 90 km/h, a tornado, or heavy rain that may cause flash flooding.

When a storm produces or may produce giant hail of 5 cm (2 inches) or more, it meets the BOM's “very dangerous” threshold. Such storms may also bring destructive winds or dangerous flooding. A warning area marks where severe conditions are possible; it does not promise that every address inside it will receive hail. See the BOM severe thunderstorm warning guide for the official criteria.

How to check hail warnings in Australia

1. Check the BOM website

1. Visit the BOM warnings and alerts page.
2. Choose your state or territory or search for your location by suburb, town, or postcode.
3. Open an active Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Look for hail size, the affected forecast districts or named places, the warning map, recommended actions, and the issue and next-update times.
4. Check again as the storm develops. Thunderstorms can intensify or change direction quickly.

On the BOM website, the warning symbol is a yellow triangle. You can also access warnings through the “Current warnings” section or the Weather and climate menu, as explained in the BOM website help.

2. Turn on BOM Weather app notifications

1. Install and open the official BOM Weather app on Android or iPhone.
2. Open the menu in the upper-right corner and choose Notifications. Allow notifications in your phone settings if prompted.
3. Select or add a location, such as home, work, or where family members live. The app supports warning notifications for up to three locations.
4. Open Warnings settings for that location and enable Severe thunderstorm warnings.
5. To read active alerts, search for your location and open the warning banner, use the Warnings tab, or select Map and switch from Rain to Warnings.

The app's rain notifications are different from official severe thunderstorm warnings. A rain alert does not tell you whether large hail is expected. For current menu and notification instructions, consult the BOM Weather app instructions.

3. Use radar for context, not as the final warning

Radar can help you see where rain is moving, but it cannot reliably tell you that large hail will fall at your address. Storms can develop rapidly, and the BOM notes that severe weather may not display perfectly on rainfall maps. Treat the warning text and the official threat area as the primary source, and use radar only as additional context.

Also check your state or territory's emergency alerts. BOM weather warnings identify meteorological hazards; emergency agencies may issue separate, action-based instructions for a community. If their directions tell you to shelter or avoid an area, follow them immediately.

How to prepare when hail is forecast

Start with the actions that matter most and are safe to complete before the storm arrives.

• Protect people and pets: Bring everyone inside a sturdy building and identify an interior room away from windows and skylights.
• Move your car: If time and conditions allow, park in a garage or a solid, covered area. Otherwise, park away from trees, power lines, and flood-prone areas. Securely fitted protective covers or blankets may reduce minor impacts but cannot guarantee protection against large hail.
• Secure loose objects: Bring in small outdoor furniture, bins, umbrellas, and anything that could become airborne in damaging winds.
• Close openings: Shut windows, external doors, shutters, and curtains. Do not attempt roof or gutter work as a storm approaches.
• Prepare for disruption: Charge phones and a power bank; keep a flashlight, medications, drinking water, first-aid supplies, and a battery-powered radio accessible.
• Tell others: Share the official alert with household members, neighbors, or anyone responsible for children and pets.

Longer-term preparation includes clearing gutters when conditions are safe, maintaining roofs, trimming dangerous branches using qualified professionals, and reviewing home and vehicle insurance. These precautions reflect the Queensland SES storm safety advice.

What to do while hail is falling

If you are inside: Stay indoors and away from windows, glass doors, and skylights. Do not go out to photograph hailstones or move a vehicle. If the building becomes unsafe, move to a stronger interior area and follow emergency-service instructions.

If you are outside: Seek shelter inside a substantial building as soon as it is safe. Avoid trees, exposed structures, waterways, and fallen power lines. Hail often arrives with lightning, strong winds, or intense rain.

If you are driving: Slow down and, if visibility or road conditions deteriorate, pull over in a safe location away from trees, power lines, drains, and low-lying areas. A solid-roof parking area is preferable if safely reachable. Do not stop in an active traffic lane or drive through floodwater. Stay in your vehicle when getting out would expose you to hail or lightning, unless your location or vehicle becomes unsafe.

For storm-related emergency assistance that is not life-threatening, call your State Emergency Service on 132 500. For an immediate threat to life, call Triple Zero (000). Follow locally issued instructions; the NSW SES storm advice and Victoria SES storm advice provide practical storm guidance.

After the storm: check whether it is safe

1. Recheck official alerts. Look for updated, reduced, or canceled warnings. Do not assume the danger has ended because rain has paused; another storm cell may follow.
2. Look for hazards before stepping outside. Avoid broken glass, unstable branches, loose roofing, floodwater, and downed power lines. Treat every fallen power line as live.
3. Document visible damage safely. Photograph vehicle dents, smashed glass, and roof or window damage from a safe location. Contact your insurer and use qualified tradespeople for inspections and repairs.
4. Ask for help when necessary. Call 132 500 for eligible urgent storm assistance, or 000 if anyone is in immediate danger. Never climb onto a damaged or wet roof to inspect it.

Quick check: are you ready for the next hailstorm?

Before storm season or whenever severe thunderstorms are forecast, make sure you can answer yes to these questions: Do you know where the BOM warning page is? Are severe thunderstorm notifications enabled for the right locations? Can everyone in your household reach a safe room? Is there a plan for vehicles, pets, power outages, and emergency contacts?

Australia experiences severe thunderstorms in every season, although they are more common in many regions between September and March. The best approach is simple: check BOM warnings, act early, stay sheltered, and verify that conditions are safe before resuming normal activities.