By June 20 it crossed Central America into the eastern Pacific Ocean, later spawning an area of convection, or thunderstorms, south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

[4][5] By early on June 26, the disturbance had organized enough for the NHC to initiate advisories on Tropical Depression Three-E, about 130 miles (210 km) south-southwest of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.

[1] As it reached tropical storm intensity, Carlos began an erratic northward track toward the Mexican coast, under the influence of a trough.

[1] When the cyclone first formed, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Acapulco, Guerrero to Punta San Telmo, Michoacán, although initially it was forecast to remain offshore.

[10] After Carlos attained tropical storm status and when it was correctly anticipated to make landfall, the warning area was adjusted from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.

[11] Although the storm moved ashore in Oaxaca, its rainbands also affected the Mexican states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz, Puebla, and Guerrero.

[14] Across the region, the combination of rainfall and strong winds downed power lines, disrupted phone service, and flooded two major highways;[15] additionally, the storm left widespread damage to other roads and airstrips.