Forming from a disturbance in the East Pacific on August 6, the storm began a general westward movement it would take throughout most of its life.

Upon entering the Central Pacific, intensification began anew, and by August 14, the hurricane reached a peak intensity of 130 mph (210 km/h).

Additionally, there was a threat of contamination on the island from stored Agent Orange and other herbicides brought from Vietnam by the Defense Department for eventual destruction at sea by the Dutch-owned incinerator ship MT Vulcanus.

An inspection of the island following the hurricane indicated that there was no contamination, but the 1,800,000 gallons of herbicides sat in steel barrels on salt beaches for nearly 5 years.

The next day, a ship called the Star Track reported winds of 25 mph (40 km/h) and an atmospheric pressure of 1,006 millibars (29.7 inHg) at a point 105 miles (169 km) south of the center of the storm.

[1] At this point, the storm began a general westward motion it would continue on for most of its life due to high-pressure areas north of its track.

[2] While traversing the East Pacific, the storm kept a consistent intensity until late on August 9, when it started intensifying again, becoming a hurricane the next day.

Afterwards, the hurricane began a slow weakening trend, despite reaching its lowest pressure – 940 millibars (28 inHg) – after its wind speeds decreased.

The hurricane passed 30 miles (48 km) to the northeast of Johnston on August 19, subjecting the atoll to nearly six hours of hurricane-force winds.

[3] Shortly after weakening to a tropical storm, it entered an area of higher vertical wind shear which ultimately led to its dissipation by August 22.

[4] The best track intensity of Celeste largely varies between the HURDAT and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC).

The Vishva Tirth an Indian freighter, was the first vessel to arrive and it towed the Regina Maris to Los Angeles which took about 10 days.

Prior to Celeste, it had rescued the crew of the ship Pipedream II, which had been damaged 700 miles (1,100 km) off the coast of California.

[4] In addition, the threat of swells caused high surf warnings to be posted for the entire Hawaiian chain.

[9] Initially, ten people, including the base commander, volunteered to stay behind in shelters in order to clear the runway using bulldozers after the hurricane passed.