Bogong moth swarms trigger false rain echoes on southeastern Australian radars
Weather radars in southeastern Australia are showing nightly precipitation echoes that are actually massive migrations of bogong moths.
Recent radar observations across southeastern Australia have displayed nightly precipitation-like echoes despite clear skies. According to a spokesperson for the Bureau of Meteorology, the signals are not due to malfunction but to the massive southward migration of bogong moths heading for the Australian Alps. The insects depart at sunset after daytime resting, and their dense swarms reflect radar pulses in a way that resembles light, widespread rain.
Initially concentrated in New South Wales, the false echoes have also been recorded in northern and eastern Victoria. Experts explain that while other objects such as smoke, birds, or atmospheric ducting can cause radar clutter, the timing, geographic coverage, and light-rain appearance strongly point to the moths as the source.
