a tropical wave exited africa on september 22 and within three days began to develop organized convection. after a low-level circulation formed, the system developed into tropical depression sixteen late on september 26. despite the presence of wind shear, the depression strengthened into tropical storm noel on september 27. moving northwestward, it gradually intensified to hurricane status by september 28, with peak winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). after remaining a hurricane for 42 hours, during which it turned to the northeast, noel weakened to tropical storm strength due to increased wind shear.