Hurricane Danielle was a long-lived and powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that occurred during the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season. Danielle formed from a tropical wave off the coast of Africa in mid-August and followed a generally westward to northwestward track across the Atlantic Ocean.
Danielle steadily intensified as it moved westward, reaching hurricane status on August 22nd. It continued to strengthen, becoming a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) on August 24th. At its peak intensity, Danielle had sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 965 mbar (28.50 inHg).
Over the next several days, Danielle fluctuated in intensity as it moved northwestward, encountering varying atmospheric conditions. Despite these fluctuations, it remained a strong hurricane for several days. Danielle ultimately turned northward and then northeastward, passing well east of Bermuda.
The hurricane gradually weakened as it moved over cooler waters and into an area of increased wind shear. Danielle eventually transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on August 30th while located far southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. The remnants of Danielle continued to track northeastward across the North Atlantic before dissipating.
While Danielle remained offshore and did not make landfall, it generated large swells that impacted the eastern seaboard of the United States and Atlantic Canada. These swells caused dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding. Although no direct fatalities were reported, the rough seas were responsible for several injuries. Overall, the impact from Hurricane Danielle was considered minimal due to its distance from land.