A report of 40 mph (64 km/h) winds, a barometric pressure of 1010.5 mbar, and heavy thundershowers was received from a Coast Guard cutter called the Androscoggin while the ship was 150 mi (240 km) south of Tehuantepec.

[1][2] The depression became Tropical Storm Liza later that day, when the ship Jag Jawan reported winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) and 1003.2 mbar.

[1] The tropical storm moved west-northwest for 48 hours after being named, reaching hurricane intensity on August 29, with satellite pictures showing an eye.

Inflow was apparent in feeder bands from the south, but a large area of dry air and clear skies spanned to the north and west of the hurricane.

On August 31, the CDO had shrunk, but the cyclone still maintained intensity until September 1, when the hurricane had moved over cooler water and began to weaken due to cold inflow.

Around this time, an unnamed ship passing north of the center going eastward reported winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) and 40-foot (12 m) to 45-foot (14 m) high seas.

[6] At Newport Beach, the Corps of Engineers were brought in to create a buffer with sand and rock to protect homes between 41st Street and 46th Street,[4][7] and concern in West Newport Beach was that the hurricane would cause more damage to oceanfront homes that were weakened by swirling seas the previous week.

[6] The waves were expected to be the only cause of damage from the hurricane,[8] which forecaster Emii Kurtz remarked was "much too far away" to affect atmospheric weather conditions.

[4] Due to the Labor Day beach turnout, many reports of rescuing swimmers who were swept up by waves caused by the hurricane were received.

[10] Long Beach, in terms of damage, was particularly hit hard by Liza, with debris and sea foam from the heavy surf clogging storm drains.