 The storm attained major hurricane status as a Category 3 storm early on July 13. It presented a well-defined eye that was about 23 mi (37 km) in diameter, which was enveloped within by a complete ring of deep thunderstorms. A small cyclone, the area of winds contracted somewhat at around the same time. At 0600 UTC that day, the hurricane reached its peak intensity, with winds of 125 mph (205 km / h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 953 mb. Subsequently encountering cooler waters and stable air, rapid weakening began. As a result of the weakening trend, Bud became a Category 2 storm at 1800 UTC. The eye became obscured, and core convective cloud tops began to warm. Early on July 14, the storm dropped below hurricane status and lost much of its convection during the day. In addition to the cooler sea surface temperatures and an unfavorable environment, southeasterly shear contributed to the weakening. By the evening, only a patch of thunderstorm activity lingered to the north of the center. On July 15, the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression, and it degenerated into a remnant low the next day. The low fully dissipated within the low-level easterly trade winds on July 17, about 750 mi (1,210 km) east-northeast of Hawaii.
