Hurricane Daniel was the second strongest storm of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season. The fourth named storm of the season, it originated on July 16 from a tropical wave off the coast of Mexico. It tracked westward and intensified steadily, reaching Category 4 on the Saffir–Simpson scale on July 20 and attaining peak winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) on July 22. An annular hurricane with a large and symmetric eye surrounded by a thick ring of intense convection, it gradually weakened as it entered an area of cooler water temperatures and increased wind shear. After crossing into the Central Pacific Ocean, it degenerated into a remnant low pressure area on July 26, and dissipated southeast of Hawaii within two days. The storm brought light to moderate precipitation to the Island of Hawaii and Maui, causing minor flooding, with no fatalities or major damage reported. (Full article...)