Fico slowly weakened as it turned to the northwest over cooler waters, and became an extratropical cyclone on July 28 to the northeast of Midway Island.

The depression turned to the west-northwest, and after briefly weakening it organized more to attain tropical storm status on July 10 while located about 745 miles (1,199 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California Peninsula.

Fico attained Category 4 strength about 24 hours after it first became a hurricane, and on July 12 it reached peak winds of 140 mph (230 km/h) while located 640 miles (1,030 km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas.

[3] While moving nearly due westward, Fico maintained peak winds for about 12 hours before weakening over cooler water temperatures.

Fico slowly restrengthened and reached Category 3 status late on July 20 while passing about 170 miles (270 km) south of the island of Hawaii.

The hurricane turned to the northwest toward an upper-level trough of low pressure, and after maintaining 115 mph (185 km/h) winds for about 36 hours it slowly weakened.

On July 27 after entering an area of progressively cooler waters, Fico weakened to a tropical storm while located about 35 miles (56 km) east-northeast of Midway Island.

Ships to the southeast of Cold Bay reported heavy rainfall and strong winds in association with the remnants of Fico.

Six people aboard a sloop off Hanalei were rescued by a Navy torpedo boat after it lost its auxiliary power and was unable to progress in the strong winds of Fico.

[3] Days before the hurricane passed to the south of the state, high surf from Fico caused some beach flooding in the eastern portion of the island of Hawaii.