Australia’s Beloved Weather Website Gets Makeover — and Infuriates Users

Australia’s long-trusted national weather website has received its first major redesign in over a decade — but rather than rolling out smooth weather warnings, the update has sparked widespread anger from users relying on it for forecasts, storm alerts and vital local data. Far from winning praise, the new look has triggered a groundswell of frustration over usability, functionality and cost.

What changed — and why

On 22 October 2025, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) launched an updated version of its website — its first overhaul in 12 years. The bureau says the revamp, part of a larger IT-infrastructure upgrade, was necessary to improve security, stability and support for the huge volume of data it handles.

The redesign introduced a new interface, updated navigation, an https-enabled platform, and a refreshed layout aimed at being more “modern and accessible.”

Why users are outraged

For many Australians — including farmers, tradies, weather-watchers and everyday users — the redesigned site quickly proved difficult to use, especially during severe weather. Key complaints include:

• Hard to find crucial features: Traditional tools like rain radars, detailed rainfall/river data, and localized town-level forecasts became harder to access. Some users reported the site “showing no information” for their area even as storms loomed.
• Radar display issues: The new radar’s colour and scale adjustments reportedly underplay the severity of storms — critics warn this could lead to underestimating hail or wind danger.
• Poor timing: The site went live just as extreme weather hit parts of the country, meaning users depended on the new—yet unfamiliar—layout for urgent storm information. Many felt the timing was dangerously off.
• Loss of trust from regional users: For rural communities — farmers depending on flood and rainfall data, remote areas needing early warnings — the redesign has been described as a “fiasco.” Some politicians and community leaders say the overhaul ignored the needs of non-urban users.

As one user message relayed to local media lamented: “After pressing twenty different options I gave up and hit my phone with a hammer.”

The costs — and the backlash over value

The redesign wasn’t cheap. What was initially presented as a A$4.1 million front-end update has had its budget ballooned: the full project, including backend systems, security and data infrastructure upgrades, is now said to have cost about A$96.5 million.

That figure, and the apparent mismatch between cost and performance, has drawn ire from politicians and commentators alike. One labelled the redesign “a complete failure,” arguing it “infuriated so many farmers” and wasted public money.

The sharp budget blow-out — many times what was first disclosed — has forced senior government figures to demand explanations.

🛠 BOM pushes fixes — but confidence shaken

In response to the backlash, the Bureau has apologised for the rollout’s flaws and promised to address the most glaring issues. Some short-term fixes — including restoring the old radar colour palettes — have already been made.

BOM says all forecast and warning information is still available, and reminded the public that the update is part of a broader multi-year “ROBUST” IT overhaul aiming to improve long-term reliability.

Still, for many everyday users, the trust built over decades has taken a hit. Some have reverted to weather apps, alternative websites or overseas services; others warn that during future storms they won’t rely on the official site.

What this means — for users and future redesigns

• Critical public-service platforms remain fragile: When a widely used service like BOM — a backbone during emergencies — becomes harder to use, the consequences go beyond annoyance: safety, livelihoods and trust can be at risk.
• User-centric design matters: Upgrades must prioritise real-world needs — easy navigation, regional data access, clear visuals — not just sleek looks or backend security.
• Transparency and accountability are essential: Cost overruns and lack of clarity over what was delivered have fuelled distrust; future public software upgrades will likely face more scrutiny.
• Diverse user base requires inclusive design: What works for a city browser doesn’t always work for farmers, remote communities, or storm-prone coastal areas.

The makeover of Australia’s most-used weather website was meant to usher in modernity — but for many users, it has been a messy misstep. As the Bureau scrambles to patch the site and restore confidence, the episode stands as a cautionary tale: when lives and livelihoods depend on information, even small design choices can have big consequences.