It accelerated northeastward, and after passing a short distance south of Baja California Sur the low level circulation became decoupled from the rest of the convection.

[3] It continued to organize, and developed into Tropical Depression Seventeen-E on October 21 while located about 265 miles (426 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo.

Easterly wind shear initially restricted upper-level outflow as the cyclone moved to the west, a motion due to a subtropical ridge to its north.

[9] However, shear sharply abated over Paul late on October 22, resulting in the storm quickly gaining organization and intensifying.

[11] Located in an area of warm water temperatures and light wind shear, Hurricane Paul continued to intensify and organize;[11] its well-defined eye was surrounded by a ring of deep convection while outflow remained strong to the north and south.

[12] On October 23, while located 465 miles (748 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Paul reached its peak intensity of 105 mph (169 km/h), a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

The combination of increasing shear and dry air quickly weakened Paul[14] to a tropical storm on October 24 as its low-level circulation became detached from the diminishing convection.

[19] Early the next day, the depression, devoid of any deep convection, made landfall near Isla Altamura in northwestern Sinaloa.

[19] Emergency officials near the southern tip of Baja California closed schools,[25] while rescue workers ordered for the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from shanty towns.

[26] A hotel in Cabo San Lucas informed its guests of the approaching storm, and organized indoor activities for those that stayed.

[27] The threat of the storm closed the port at Cabo San Lucas, causing delays in a local fishing competition.

[28] The National Hurricane Center noted that the precursor disturbance had the potential to drop heavy rainfall which could result in life-threatening flash flooding or mudslides in Oaxaca and Guerrero.