 Lane continued to become better organized, with deep convection developing into a central dense overcast and well-defined outflow in the western half of the storm. Late on September 14, an eyewall began to develop a short distance off the Mexican coastline. Lane continued to strengthen as it turned more to the north-northwest, a motion caused due to the storm moving around the western periphery of a mid-level ridge over Mexico. Based on reports from Reconnaissance Aircraft, Lane was upgraded to hurricane status on September 15 about 40 miles (65 km) west-northwest of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. Subsequently it quickly strengthened, and by six hours after it became a hurricane it attained winds of 105 mph (165 km / h), a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir – Simpson scale. Later that day, the 10 mile (16 km) wide eye crossed over the Islas Marías. Early on September 16, Lane strengthened into a 115 mph (185 km / h) hurricane just 50 miles (85 km) off the coast of Mexico, becoming the sixth major hurricane of the season.
