Amid warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, the storm continued to intensify, eventually peaking as a 140 mph (220 km/h) Category 4 hurricane on August 12.

Although it never made landfall, Dora produced high surf, gale-force winds, and light rain across the islands of Hawaii and Johnston Atoll, but resulted in minimal damage.

As a result, it is estimated that Tropical Depression Seven-E developed at 00:00 UTC on August 6, while located about 335 miles (540 km) south of Acapulco.

[3] Tracking west-northwestward and then westward along a decaying subtropical ridge,[2] Dora continued to intensify and was upgraded to a hurricane on August 8 based on the Dvorak technique.

[2][7] Later on August 11, the NHC predicted relatively slow weakening beginning in about 24 hours, as the storm would cross over slightly colder sea surface temperatures in the wake of Hurricane Eugene.

[8] However, at 00:00 UTC on August 12, Dora attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 943 mbar (27.8 inHg).

[2] At the time of peak intensity, the hurricane featured a 17 mi (27 km) diameter eye, surrounded by cloud tops with temperatures of −85 to −94 °F (−65 to −70 °C).

[2] Dora further deteriorated to a weak Category 1 hurricane by 12:00 UTC on August 14 and was forecast to fall to tropical storm intensity within 24 hours.

[2] On August 23, the circulation became exposed from the main convection,[10] and at 18:00 UTC, Tropical Depression Dora dissipated about 450 mi (725 km) northeast of Wake Island.

[2] On August 16, forecast models predicted Dora would bypass Johnston Atoll a short distance to the south, with some concerns of a direct hit on the island.

[18] Additionally, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicted Dora would strike Wake Island as a minimal typhoon, though this did not occur.

This prompted local officials to close all beaches, campsites, and nature trails in the Puna and Kau districts due to the deteriorating conditions.