Cyclone Maila

==Meteorological history==

==Meteorological history==

{{Storm path|Maila 2026 path.png|colors=new}}

{{Storm path|Maila 2026 path.png|colors=new}}

On 2 April, Tropical Low 37U formed in the northeastern [[Coral Sea]], between [[Papua New Guinea]] and the [[Solomon Islands]].{{Cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map|url=https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260404040513/https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002 |archive-date=2026-04-04 |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=The Bureau of Meteorology |language=en-AU}} On 4 April, the system crossed 155°E into the area of responsibility of TCWC Port Moresby and was given the name ''Maila''. Maila was the first tropical cyclone to be named by TCWC Port Moresby since [[Cyclone Guba]] in 2007.{{Cite web |date=2026-04-04 |title=Tropical Cyclone Maila develops in the Solomon Sea, possible track towards Far North Qld |url=https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/tropical-cyclone-maila-develops-in-the-solomon-sea-possible-track-towards-far-north-qld/1891297 |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=www.weatherzone.com.au |language=en-AU}} Just to the north of the equator, [[Typhoon Sinlaku (2026)|Typhoon Sinlaku]] formed as a [[twin cyclone]] to Maila, forming from the same moisture and wind patterns.{{Cite web |last=Belles |first=Jonathan |last2=Erdman |first2=Jonathan |date=2026-04-13 |title=Super Typhoon Sinlaku Heads Toward US Northern Marianas |url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2026-04-13-super-typhoon-sinlaku-marianas-guam-saipan-tinian-el-nino |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=The Weather Channel |language=en-US}} Rapid strengthening and gradual northwestward movement occurred throughout the remainder of the day. By 5 April, Maila intensified and reached Category 3 status on the Australian scale, or Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale follow by that, Maila's intensification would slow down and begin to fluctuate for the next two days as it drifted to the east. Intensification resumed on 7 April where it was upgraded to a Category 4 cyclone on the Australian scale (Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale). By the next morning, Maila had rapidly intensified into a Category 5 cyclone on the Australian scale (Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale), albeit the eastern periphery of the storm's structure began to become uneven due to its own oceanic upwelling{{cite web | title=SUBJ/PROGNOSTIC REASONING FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE 30P (MAILA) WARNING NR | website=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command | url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh3026prog.txt | access-date=7 Apr 2026}} and eventually became a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian cyclone with the cloud tops dissipated after [[upwelling]].

On 2 April, Tropical Low 37U formed in the northeastern [[Coral Sea]], between [[Papua New Guinea]] and the [[Solomon Islands]].{{Cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map|url=https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260404040513/https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002 |archive-date=2026-04-04 |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=The Bureau of Meteorology |language=en-AU}} On 4 April, the system crossed 155°E into the area of responsibility of TCWC Port Moresby and was given the name ''Maila''. Maila was the first tropical cyclone to be named by TCWC Port Moresby since [[Cyclone Guba]] in 2007.{{Cite web |date=2026-04-04 |title=Tropical Cyclone Maila develops in the Solomon Sea, possible track towards Far North Qld |url=https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/tropical-cyclone-maila-develops-in-the-solomon-sea-possible-track-towards-far-north-qld/1891297 |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=www.weatherzone.com.au |language=en-AU}} Just to the north of the equator, [[Typhoon Sinlaku (2026)|Typhoon Sinlaku]] formed as a [[twin cyclone]] to Maila, forming from the same moisture and wind patterns.{{Cite web |last=Belles |first=Jonathan |last2=Erdman |first2=Jonathan |date=2026-04-13 |title=Super Typhoon Sinlaku Heads Toward US Northern Marianas |url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2026-04-13-super-typhoon-sinlaku-marianas-guam-saipan-tinian-el-nino |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=The Weather Channel |language=en-US}} Rapid strengthening and gradual northwestward movement occurred throughout the remainder of the day. By 5 April, Maila intensified and reached Category 3 status on the Australian scale, or Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Followed by that, Maila's intensification would slow down and begin to fluctuate for the next two days as it drifted to the east. Intensification resumed on 7 April where it was upgraded to a Category 4 cyclone on the Australian scale (Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale). By the next morning, Maila had rapidly intensified into a Category 5 cyclone on the Australian scale (Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale), albeit the eastern periphery of the storm's structure began to become uneven due to its own oceanic upwelling{{cite web | title=SUBJ/PROGNOSTIC REASONING FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE 30P (MAILA) WARNING NR | website=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command | url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh3026prog.txt | access-date=7 Apr 2026}} and eventually became a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian scale with the cloud tops dissipated after [[upwelling]].

[[File:Cyclone Maila as seen from Artemis II.png|thumb|333x333px|This cropped photo by NASA astronaut [[Reid Wiseman]] of the Earth through a window captures Cyclone Maila shortly after becoming a tropical low on 2 April, during the [[Artemis II|Artemis II mission]].]]

[[File:Cyclone Maila as seen from Artemis II.png|thumb|333x333px|This cropped photo by NASA astronaut [[Reid Wiseman]] of the Earth through a window captures Cyclone Maila shortly after becoming a tropical low on 2 April, during the [[Artemis II|Artemis II mission]].]]

[[file:Cyclone Maila Strengthens Over the Solomon Sea (CIRA 2026-04-07 - labels).webm|thumb|250px|Maila undergoing [[rapid intensification]] over the [[Solomon Sea]] on 7 April]]

[[file:Cyclone Maila Strengthens Over the Solomon Sea (CIRA 2026-04-07 - labels).webm|thumb|250px|Maila undergoing [[rapid intensification]] over the [[Solomon Sea]] on 7 April]]