 With an absence of vertical wind shear , the depression drifted just south of due east and steadily organized . The system developed banding features and a central dense overcast , and early on October 6 the depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Pauline while located about 295 miles ( 475 km ) south @-@ southeast of Salina Cruz , Oaxaca . A strong high pressure system eroded the trough over southeastern Mexico , which turned Pauline to the northeast . An eye feature developed late on October 6 , and early the next day Pauline intensified into a hurricane about 265 miles ( 425 km ) southeast of Salina Cruz after turning to the north and northwest . 
