Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila has intensified into a category five storm over the Solomon Sea, with a minimum pressure of 924 hPa, indicating its strength. It is projected to make landfall along the far north Queensland coast of Australia early next week, likely between Lockhart River and Cairns. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warns that Queensland communities could start feeling the effects from the weekend, including heavy rain, flood risks, and strong winds. This cyclone follows Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which impacted the same region on 20 March as a category four storm. Maila is the seventh severe tropical cyclone of the season, which runs from November to April, and is expected to be the third to cross the Queensland coast. Meanwhile, Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, currently a category three storm, is anticipated to make landfall in New Zealand, posing additional risks of damaging winds. Experts note that while global warming may reduce the frequency of cyclones, those that do form are likely to be more intense and have prolonged effects upon landfall.