THE PERFECT STORM....Global Warming, Naaaawwww! Hmmmm?

(CNN) — While a 3rd of the US is covered in snow, floods in Australia, and now a huge tropical cyclone taking aim at Australia’s Queensland state has strengthened to a Category 5 — the highest designation on Australia’s cyclone classification system — and its landfall is “likely to be more life threatening than any experienced during recent generations,” forecasters said.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi has winds gusting up to 295 kph (183 mph) and is expected to maintain that intensity until making landfall in northeastern Queensland late Wednesday evening local time, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said.

The cyclone threatens more devastation for Queensland, which already has been hit by deadly flooding in recent weeks.

“Yasi … poses an extremely serious threat to life and property within the warning area, especially between Port Douglas and Townsville. This impact is likely to be more life threatening than any experienced during recent generations,” the bureau says on its website.