In August and September, the height of the season, formation activity extends from the Gulf of Mexico to Africa. In these peak months, storms can strike anywhere from Mexico to Maine. Toward the end of the season the action returns to the Caribbean. Monthly Pacific hurricane activity coincides with that of the Atlantic. The danger area ranges from Central America to Mexico and west to the Hawaiian Islands.
Most Pacific storms move in a northwesterly direction and die in cooler waters.
Occasionally, they recurve to the northeast and affect Mexico and Southern California. The closer to the eye one gets, the higher the winds will be, because they accelerate in a manner similar to water running down a drainpipe. In addition, swirls of wind near the eye wall can reach speeds estimated to be in excess of 200 knots. The unlucky cruising boat facing a storm has a few options. The rule of thumb is to determine the boat's position relative to the forward track of the eye, then set a course at right angles away from the deadly center.