Budapest sits on the Danube in the heart of the Carpathian Basin and receives around 550 mm (about 22 inches) of rain a year, with a summer peak from convective thunderstorms typical of continental Hungary. The Danube has a long history of significant flooding during periods of sustained heavy rain across its vast upstream watershed spanning several countries, with major flood events requiring the city’s extensive embankments and flood walls to hold back record river levels in recent decades. Faster-moving summer storms are a separate, more localized hazard capable of flash flooding city streets. Because these two risks operate on very different timescales, radar is most useful for the faster local storms. Hungary’s Meteorological Service operates the national radar network.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Budapest right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Budapest in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Budapest, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Budapest rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Budapest?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Hungary are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Budapest or pass by.
Is this Budapest rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.