User:Yellow Evan/Nele

Hurricane Nele threatened Hawaii during October 1985. A disturbance strengthened into Tropical Depression Three-C on October 23 and Tropical Storm Nele. It reached hurricane strength October 25. Due to weak steering currents, it moved slowly. It briefly threatened the major Hawaiian Islands before veering to the northwest and accelerating. It passed over the Northwestern Islands before becoming an extratropical cyclone October 30 after re-curving to the northeast. Some fishing vessels were damaged, but no casualties were reported.

Meteorological history
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) began monitoring an area of disturbed weather several hundred miles south-southeast of Hawaii on October 20. Moving toward the west, the storm passed well to the south of Hawaii while organizing on October 22. The next day, Tropical Depression Three-C formed. Although it was hard to classify via Dvorak technique due to poor satellite imagery, meteorologists at the CPHC felt that the depression was undergoing rapid deepening. Based on this, Three-C was upgraded into a tropical storm and received the name Nele.

Continuing to gain strength, Nele turned to the northwest, and then to the north. Following a similar path to two late-season hurricanes (Hurricane Iwa and Hurricane Nina), Tropical Storm Nele reached hurricane intensity. Moving at speed of about 7 mph, the hurricane reached its peak wind speed of 90 mph (150 km/h). Early on October 26. In an area of weak steering currents and near a trough, this caused large concern for the CPHC forecasters since the steering pattern was similar to Iwa. As such, the CPHC noted that if the storm continued it's course it would pass through the island chain. However, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft suggest that Nele was starting to turn towards the northwest, thus ending the threat to the vast majority of the island chain. With winds of 80 mph (135 km/h) and a motion of about 13 mph, it moved across the Hawaiian Leeward Islands. Passing about 100 mi west of French Frigate Shoals and very near Tern Island. While Nele fluctuated in intensity, the storm accelerated towards the north and eventually to the northeast. Hurricane Nele had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone by October 30. It was no longer a threat to shipping lanes the next day.

Preparations and impact
With fears of a repeat from Hurricane Iwa, a hurricane watch was issued for Hawaii. On Ohau, were most of the islands population lives, Civil Defense director George Kekuna residents were urged to tie down lose items outside or move them inside. Residents were also asked to have a full stock of food, medical supplies, a full tank of gas, and have their windows taped or boarded. Officials also moved beach equipment to hotels. About 24 hours after the hurricane watch was issued, it was dropped as Neli moved away. The high surf advisory was also cancelled. Nele is responsible for 10 ft waves along south-faces beaches. Upon passing through the Leeward Islands, the weather station, 34 mph winds were recorded with guts up to 50 mph. The lowest recorded surface pressure was 1,000 millibars. Many fishing boats spent a tough night at French Frigate Shoals due to high waves and seas. One vessel near the Gardners Pinnacles, and thus well in the path of the hurricane, was partially disabled due to a broken rudder and required assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard. Another vessel reported winds of hurricane-force and 30 ft to 40 ft. Other fishing vessels near Maro Reef and Laysan Island had an easier time as they were in the weaker left of the hurricane.