 Upon being declared a tropical depression on October 15 , computer forecasting models already anticipated the likelihood of rapid intensification due to the unusually favorable environmental conditions ahead of the system . The Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting model ( HWRF ) showed the storm attaining a minimum pressure below 900 mbar ( hPa ; 26 @.@ 58 inHg ) , an intensity not attained by any Eastern Pacific hurricane on record at the time . The Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme ( SHIPS ) rapid intensification index , a storm 's probability of intensifying by 35 mph ( 56 km / h ; 30 kn ) or more within 24 hours , was set at 60 % . This percentage quickly increased to 82 % several hours later , 11 times higher than the sample mean . The official forecast from the NHC by their second advisory stated that Rick would become a Category 4 hurricane by October 19 ; however , they mentioned that due to the favorable environment , the storm could intensify faster than forecast . Once Rick had become a Category 2 storm on October 16 , the NHC increased their forecast peak intensity to 145 mph ( 233 km / h ; 126 kn ) , a mid @-@ range Category 4 hurricane . 
