 After turning to the northeast , shear from the approaching front weakened Nicole slightly , and the center became situated near the western edge of the convection . Upper @-@ level diffluence allowed the convection to persist despite the shearing environment , and an eye @-@ feature developed within the convection . Anomalously warm sea surface temperatures of 3º to 5 ° F ( 2º to 3 ° C ) above normal allowed the storm to continue strengthening , and early on November 30 Nicole strengthened to attain hurricane status while located 1 @,@ 280 miles ( 2 @,@ 060 km ) west @-@ southwest of Lajes , Azores . A nearly complete eyewall organized within the storm , and early on December 1 Nicole reached a peak intensity of 85 mph ( 135 km / h ) . It turned northward and rapidly weakened , and Nicole became extratropical later on December 1 while located 285 miles ( 460 km ) northwest of the Azores . The extratropical remnant turned to the northwest while moving around the periphery of a larger circulation , and on December 2 Nicole dissipated . 
