Impact Level: Notification
Locations Affected: Far North Queensland, Solomon Sea, Queensland, Australia
Tracking Id: RINTP801292098
Description:
As per the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) update issued at 0439 hours (local time) on Thursday (09 April), Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila (37U) is currently active over the Solomon Sea and is forecast to track towards the Far North Queensland coast over the coming days.
• The system is located approximately 510 kilometres west of Honiara and 910 kilometres east of Port Moresby, with sustained winds near the centre of around 185 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 260 kilometres per hour, classifying it as a Category 4 cyclone.
• The cyclone is currently moving west at approximately 7 kilometres per hour, and is expected to remain over the Solomon Sea and away from the Queensland coast in the short term.
• Forecast guidance indicates that the system is likely to move into the Coral Sea over the weekend, with increasing likelihood of tracking towards the Far North Queensland coast thereafter.
• Current projections suggest a potential landfall scenario across the Cape York Peninsula early next week, subject to further track evolution.
Impact:
The system’s intensity is likely to sustain hazardous marine conditions, including high waves and strong winds, impacting offshore and maritime operations across the Solomon Sea and surrounding waters. Movement towards the Coral Sea later in the week is expected to raise early-stage disruption risks across Far North Queensland, including precautionary adjustments to transport, aviation and coastal operations.
The system’s intensity is likely to sustain hazardous marine conditions, including high waves and strong winds, impacting offshore and maritime operations across the Solomon Sea and surrounding waters. Movement towards the Coral Sea later in the week is expected to raise early-stage disruption risks across Far North Queensland, including precautionary adjustments to transport, aviation and coastal operations.
Recommendations:
The cyclone can be tracked via BoM website: https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002
Advised to remain abreast of further cyclone-related updates via the official website of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) at https://www.bom.gov.au/.
Sources:
• https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/591831/cyclone-maila-down-to-category-4-but-warnings-remain
