Typhoon Nelson, which developed on August 16, 1985, originated from an area of thunderstorm activity well east of the Philippines.

Affecting a country already inundated by summer rains, Typhoon Nelson brought additional flooding and significant damage to much of Southern China.

The origins of Nelson can be traced back to a small and disorganized, but persistent area of disturbed weather, which was first observed on August 15.

Initially, the system was located near the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which enhanced the disturbance's convection.

The disturbance was also located near a cold core upper-level low and a tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TUTT).

[2][nb 1] Several hours later, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) was issued, even though a Hurricane Hunter aircraft did not locate a surface circulation.

[4] During the evening, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported a barometric pressure of 989 mbar (30 inHg); however, they noted that the strongest winds were 170 km (105 mi) north-northwest from the center.

Subsequently, data from the JMA indicated that Nelson began to level off in intensity as the stronger winds remained displaced form the center.

[2][nb 2] However, the JTWC upgraded Nelson to typhoon intensity following Hurricane Hunter reports of a 10 km (6.2 mi) eye, winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), and a pressure of 979 mbar (28.9 inHg).

[1] At 0000 UTC on August 20, the JMA estimated that Nelson attained typhoon strength, with winds of 130 km/h (80 mph).

[2] Shortly thereafter, Nelson skirted northern Taiwan, passing 45 km (30 mi) from Taipei.

After entering the Formosa Strait, the storm moved ashore southwest of Fuzhou at 1400 UTC on August 23.

Along Pingtan Island and Fuqing, many houses were demolished and considerable damaged occurred to crops such as sugar cane.