Preparations for Otis were completed on the Peninsula; tropical cyclone watches and warnings were declared and numerous shelters opened.

[2] An associated area of disorganized clouds and thunderstorms persisted off the coast of Mexico for several days, although due to wind shear and its proximity to land, short-term tropical cyclone development—if any—was expected to occur slowly.

[3][4] On September 27, it began to show signs of organization; the National Hurricane Center (NHC) remarked upon the potential for a tropical cyclone to develop within the next day.

[2] Shortly thereafter, a ragged eye feature developed;[9] it quickly became better defined as it entered the scope of weather radar in Cabo San Lucas.

[10] Otis began gradually entering cooler ocean waters, although the National Hurricane Center noted in one of its discussions on the system that the environment was still warm enough to support a stronger storm.

The system abruptly turned southeastward and drifted parallel to the coast of the Baja California Peninsula until dissipating on October 5.

For several days the advisories were adjusted and amended, and on October 1, a hurricane warning was posted for the west coast of Baja California, from Agua Blanca to San Andresito.

[15] In advance of the storm, the governor of Baja California Sur, Narciso Agúndez Montaño, ordered emergency personnel to Comondú, Lorteo, and Mulege.

[19] Although the center of Otis remained offshore, tropical storm-force winds were reported at higher elevations over portions of southern Baja California.