A new weather forecasting radar opened on Thursday will detect in advance any severe or freak storm activity during the Olympics. At a cost of $1.25 million Australian dollars, the Doppler radar - the first in Australia - will give the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) more accurate data for its team of forecasters.

Weather reports detailing temperature, rainfall, humidity and most importantly wind, will be issued every three hours during the Olympics, although sailing competitors will receive hourly reports for conditions on the harbour.