forward motion significantly decreased as it turned due south before curving towards the southeast, and in a 30-hour span, maximum winds around the centre of the storm increased from to . The barometric pressure decreased by 90 hPa (mbar), making Gwenda one of the fastest intensifying storms on record. At the end of the intensification phase on 7 April, the Bureau of Meteorology classified the storm as a Category 5 cyclone, the third of the season, with a pressure of 900 hPa (mbar). The JTWC also reported a substantial increase in intensity, classifying Gwenda as a high-end Category 4 equivalent on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale with 1-minute sustained winds of . Upon attaining peak intensity, Gwenda displayed a well-defined eye surrounded by deep convection. At this time, some monitoring satellites estimated that it had attained winds of , equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. While Gwenda was active, the Bureau of Meteorology stated that its intensity peaked with winds of and a pressure of 915 hPa (mbar). Hours after attaining this intensity, increasing wind shear began to impact the cyclone, causing convection to become elongated and the eye less defined. Rapid weakening commenced as Gwenda turned southeastward towards the Pilbara coastline. The cyclone continued to deteriorate as it approached Western Australia, with convection displaced ahead of its centre. In addition to the wind shear, Gwenda's forward speed suddenly increased, leading to further disorganisation. Late on 7 April, the centre of Gwenda made landfall as a Category 2 cyclone roughly east of Port Hedland with winds of . The JTWC estimated the storm to have been slightly stronger at landfall, with winds near . Shortly after moving inland, the JTWC issued their final advisory on the weakening storm. The Bureau of Meteorology continued to monitor Gwenda as it abruptly stalled just onshore. However, convection associated with Gwenda continued to stream southeastward due to high wind shear. The storm's remnants persisted for several hours before dissipating early on 8 April. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology uses 10-minute sustained winds, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center uses one-minute sustained winds. The Bureau of Meteorology's peak intensity for Gwenda was 10-minute sustained, or one-minute sustained. The JTWC's peak intensity for Gwenda was one-minute sustained, or 10-minute sustained. Preparations, impact and records Already suffering from the effects of Cyclone Vance two weeks earlier, which had destroyed or severely damaged 40% of the homes in Exmouth,