 The tropical depression continued drifting north @-@ northeastward , and failed to strengthen significantly . It turned to the west on December 1 , due to the presence of a strong anticyclone to its north with a ridge extending westward past the International Date Line . On December 2 , based on satellite estimates , the CPHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Paka while located about 1000 km ( 625 mi ) south @-@ southeast of Johnston Atoll . Due to the presence of high clouds across the area , forecasters had difficulty at times in locating the low @-@ level circulation . After becoming a tropical storm , Paka remained nearly stationary for about two days before resuming a slow motion to the west @-@ southwest . It steadily intensified due to warm water temperatures , and on December 3 the storm attained winds of 105 km / h ( 65 mph ) . The next day , however , it encountered dry air and began weakening ; by December 6 , the winds had decreased to minimal tropical storm status for about 12 hours . Subsequently , Paka began to re @-@ intensify , and on December 7 the storm crossed the International Date Line into the western North Pacific Ocean with winds of 80 km / h ( 50 mph ) . 
