The storm tracked northeastward under the influence of a mid-level ridge and rapidly strengthened as a result of warm ocean temperatures in its path.

Over 1,500 residences suffered flood damage, and numerous roads across the state, including Mexican Federal Highway 200, were closed due to landslides and sinkholes.

A tropical wave – the same that spawned Hurricane Jose in the Atlantic – crossed Central America and entered the Pacific Ocean on September 11.

On September 13, a large area of convection, or thunderstorms, associated with this system began to organize a few hundred miles southwest of the coast of Mexico.

[1] Satellite imagery indicated that a well-defined center of circulation had formed,[2] and at 12:00 UTC that day, the disturbance was upgraded to a tropical depression while located 150 mi (240 km) west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.

[1] A microwave pass on the afternoon of September 13 revealed that Max developed a mid-level eye, signifying that the storm had formed an inner core.

[6] Max reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) shortly before making landfall in Guerrero, Mexico at 18:00 UTC on September 14.

[9] Six hours later, the Government of Mexico issued a hurricane watch for the same areas to accompany the tropical storm warning as Max continued to intensify.

[11] Three hours later, a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch were issued for areas east of Punta Maldonado to Lagunas de Chacahua.

The Federal Electricity Commission activated an emergency plan that deployed 462 workers, 201 vehicles, and other materials to respond to the hurricane's aftermath.

[19] During the storm, telephone service across southwestern Mexico was cut, and 126,503 Comisión Federal de Electricidad customers lost electricity.

[23] On September 25, the Secretary of Education in Guerrero, José Luis González de la Vega Otero, allowed the resumption of schools in the state.