Traveling towards the northwest, the storm gradually strengthened, becoming a hurricane on September 1 and reaching its peak intensity the following day with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h).

By August 26, the wave produced disorganized convection as it moved through the western Caribbean, across Central America, and entered the eastern Pacific Ocean.

However, conditions favored eventual development, including warm sea surface temperatures and low amounts of wind shear.

[3] Based on increased organization and the formation of banding features,[4] it was estimated that the cyclone intensified into Tropical Storm Howard at 0000 UTC on August 31.

[5] Early on September 1, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that Howard had an 80 percent chance of undergoing rapid intensification based on further development of the storm and a highly favorable environment around the cyclone.

[6] Based on the formation of an eye feature,[7] the NHC upgraded Howard to a hurricane early on September 1 while the storm was located about 420 mi (675 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Colima.

Shortly after, the cyclone reached its peak intensity as a low-end Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale, with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) while located about 410 mi (660 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.

[1] Not long after reaching peak intensity, the storm moved over cooler waters, causing the eyewall to deteriorate and cloud tops to warm.

[13] Early on September 5, Howard was further downgraded to a tropical depression and later degenerated into a non-convective remnant low-pressure area about 265 mi (425 km) west-southwest of Punta Eugenia, Mexico.

Heavy rains in the mountainous and Pacific coastal areas of Baja California produced flooding which washed out several roads in San José del Cabo.