After its initial status as a disturbance, Tropical Depression 04W was designated and moved southwestward for 36 hours as the structure of the system began to organize.

A subtropical ridge prevented Nina from turning further north and it began to track west-northwest just before reaching typhoon intensity.

Aircraft reconnaissance reported a 65 hPa drop of pressure, with winds increasing from a mere 65 to 130 knots (75 to 150 mph; 120 to 241 km/h) the day after.

The typhoon began to weaken as it approached Taiwan, making landfall near the coastal city of Hualien as a Category 3 storm with 100 kn (120 mph; 190 km/h) winds.

[10] Widespread heavy rainfall, peaking around 700 mm (28 in),[11] from the storm triggered deadly flooding and landslides which killed 29 people and injured 168 others.

[13] Due to the interaction with the mountains of Taiwan, Nina weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall in China.

[9] Further inland, the remnants of the storm produced widespread torrential rainfall, with more than 400 mm (16 in) falling across an area of 19,410 km2 (7,490 sq mi).