During February 25, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) began to monitor a developing tropical low off the coast of northern Queensland.[148] The low began to strengthen while remaining offshore the state, within an area favorable for tropical cyclogenesis.[149] On March 1, the tropical low was upgraded into a tropical cyclone by the BOM, and was provided the name .[150] Later that same day, the strengthening cyclone reached Category 2 status on the Australian scale.[151] Niran soon began to pull away from the coast of Australia while intensifying, reaching Category 3 status on the Australian scale, late on March 3.[152] and then reaching Category 4 status on the Australian scale late on March 4[153] and category 5 on March 5.[154]
