The fourth storm of the season, Danielle was one of two tropical cyclones in the year to make landfall in the United States, the other being Hurricane Andrew.

The system quickly reached tropical storm status, and Danielle looped to the west due to a change in steering currents.

The combination of Danielle and a high pressure system produced higher than normal tides and strong waves, causing beach erosion and light coastal damage.

[2] The depression rapidly organized and attained tropical storm status with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) just six hours after forming, upon which it was named Danielle.

The storm strengthened as it turned to the northwest, and reached a peak of 65 mph (105 km/h) winds on September 25 while just off the northeastern coast of North Carolina.

[1] Early in its life, forecasters had difficulties regarding the future track and intensity of Danielle, including a northeastward motion instead of its loop.

In addition, forecasters issued tropical storm warnings from Delaware through Watch Hill, Rhode Island, as a precaution.

[10] Waves and high tides from the storm caused flooding along the Pamlico Sound side of Ocracoke and southern Hatteras Island.

High tides also resulted in overwash in Pea Island, forcing the closure of Highway 12 due to 12 inches (300 mm) of salt water.

[11] However, outer bands of the storm produced heavier rainfall in the center portion of the state, peaking at 4.09 inches (0.104 m) at Charlottesville.

[12] The storm also produced higher than usual tides, peaking at 4.42 feet (1.35 m) at the mouth of the Elizabeth River in Sewells Point,[11] as well as strong waves along the Virginia coastline.

[15] Tropical Storm Danielle dropped light rainfall across much of New Jersey, with some areas in the southwestern portion of the state experiencing over 3 inches (76 mm).

[18] Danielle's outer bands dropped light rainfall from Connecticut through Maine, with isolated locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts reporting over 3 inches (76 mm).