Former Tropical Storm Howard rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Howard was located at latitude 20.6°N and longitude 114.4°W which put it about 330 miles (530 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Howard was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped completely around the center of Hurricane Howard on Monday afternoon and a circular eye was at the center of circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Howard. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Hurricane Howard was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Howard. Winds to tropical storm force extend out 60 miles (95 km) from the center.

Hurricane Howard will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Howard will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little the wind shear. Hurricane Howard could continue to intensify rapidly during the next 12 hours. Howard will move over cooler water on Tuesday, which will cause it to start to weaken.

Hurricane Howard will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Howard toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Howard will move parallel to the coast of southern Baja California. The center of Howard will remain about 300 miles (480 km) southwest of southern Baja California.