View source for Cyclone Maila

{{AFC submission|d|reason||u=~2026-21378-20|ns=118|decliner=Quxyz|declinets=20260407223737|ts=20260407192405}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->
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{{Short description|Category 5 Australian region severe tropical cyclone in 2026}}
{{Draft topics|oceania|earth-and-environment}}
{{AfC topic|media}}
{{distinguish||Cyclone Mala|Tropical Storm Malia|Hurricane Maria|Typhoon Maria (2018){{!}}Typhoon Maria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila
| image = Maila 2026-04-07 0505Z.jpg
| image-width = 240
| caption = Maila as a Category 4 cyclone in the Solomon Sea on 7 April
| formed = 2 April 2026
| remnant-low = 
| dissipated = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/BOM
| winds = 115
| gusts = 160
| pressure = 924
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 125
| pressure = 930
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = None
| injuries = 
| missing = 3
| year = 2026
| damage = Unknown
| areas = [[Solomon Islands]], [[Papua New Guinea]]
| damage-prefix = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2025–26 Australian region cyclone season]]
}}
'''Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila''' is an active, erratic, and extremely rare tropical cyclone in the Australian region which recently became the first tropical cyclone to form in the Port Moresby area of responsibility since [[Cyclone Guba]] in 2007. Maila was the twenty-third tropical low, eleventh tropical cyclone, and seventh severe tropical cyclone of the [[2025–26 Australian region cyclone season]]. The origins of Maila stemmed from a tropical low, 37U, which was first designated on 2 April, located between [[Papua New Guinea]] and the [[Solomon Islands]]. The tropical low crossed the 155th meridian east into Port Moresby's area of responsibility on 4 April, where it would begin to consolidate, being given the name ''Maila'' later that day and was upgraded to a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian scale. Maila began to quickly strengthen while moving sluggishly and erratically, and by the next day, the cyclone was upgraded to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, or a Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Over the next few days, Maila would slowly drift eastward whilst maintaining Category 3 status on the Australian scale, by 7 April, the cyclone would resume its intensification, reaching Category 4 status on the Australian scale, or Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Its rapid intensification would continue into the next morning, where it achieved Category 5 status on the Australian scale and Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

==Meteorological history==
{{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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map {{!}} The Bureau of Meteorology |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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Rapid strengthening and gradual northwestward movement occurred throughout the remainder of the day. By 5 April, Maila intensify 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.<ref name="z044">{{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}}</ref><!--[[File:Artemis II Captures the Terminator Line (art002e000190).jpg|500px|thumb|This image of Cyclone Maila was photographed on 2 April, during the Artemis II mission. It is visible in the bottom-center of the image.]]-->
[[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]]
{{clear}}

==Preparations and impact==
The Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in [[Port Moresby]], Papua New Guinea, issued tropical cyclone warnings and heavy rain warnings across the southeastern portion of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poivi |first=Antoinette |date=2026-04-05 |title=Heavy rains expected in some parts of country as tropical cycle develops in Solomon Islands |url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/heavy-raise-expected-in-some-parts-of-country-as-tropical-cycle-develops-in-solomon-islands/ |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref>

Eight people on a dinghy from [[Woodlark Island]] who made medical evacuations to [[Milne Bay]] went missing during the storm.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Blades |first=Johnny |last2= |first2= |date=2026-04-07 |title=Cyclone Maila upgraded to Category 4, as PNG and Solomons brace for more |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/591700/cyclone-maila-upgraded-to-category-4-as-png-and-solomons-brace-for-more |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2026-04-07 |title=Missing dinghy located, all safe |url=https://www.nbc.com.pg/post/34252/missing-dinghy-located-all-safe |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=[[National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea]] |language=en}}</ref> The dinghy's crew was later found sheltering on Egom Island, waiting for clear weather.<ref name=":2" /> Flights to [[Tokua Airport]] were cancelled due to a flooded runway.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-04-05 |title=Flights into Tokua suspended as impacts of tropical cyclone hit East New Britain |url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/flights-into-tokua-suspended-as-impacts-of-tropical-cyclone-hit-east-new-britain/ |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> Roads in [[New Britain]] were heavily damaged by Maila.<ref name=":0" /> Power outages were also reported on New Britain.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Jimal |first=Lorraine |date=2026-04-06 |title=STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES COORDINATE TO RESTORE SERVICE OUTAGES CAUSED BY EMERGING TROPICAL CYCLONE MAILA |url=https://emtv.com.pg/state-owned-enterprises-coordinate-to-restore-service-outages-caused-by-emerging-tropical-cyclone-maila/ |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=[[EMTV]] |language=en}}</ref> Water service failed in [[Rabaul]] and [[Kokopo]].<ref name=":1" />

The Solomon Islands were battered with heavy winds and rains.<ref name=":0" /> The seas around the nation was also agitated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tromeur |first=Françoise |date=2026-04-06 |title=SAISON CYCLONIQUE. La Calédonie entre Maila et Vaianu, mais sans menace pour l’instant |url=https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/saison-cyclonique-la-caledonie-entre-maila-et-vaianu-mais-sans-menace-pour-l-instant-1688729.html |access-date=2026-04-08 |website=Nouvelle-Calédonie La 1ère |language=fr-FR}}</ref> The [[Western Province (Solomon Islands)|Western Province]] and [[Choiseul Province]] were significantly affected by [[Tidal flooding|tidal floods]] from Maila.<ref name=":0" /> Three people went missing in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-08 |title=Cyclone Maila reaches Category 5 strength in Solomon Sea |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/591743/cyclone-maila-reaches-category-5-strength-in-solomon-sea |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>{{clear}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[Weather of 2026]]
*[[Tropical cyclones in 2026]]
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== References ==
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== External links ==
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