 Early on July 23, the storm briefly became disorganized, with the low-level circulation becoming ill-defined.Around the same time, Emilia passed about 175 mi (280 km) southwest of Manzanillo, which was its closest approach to southwestern Mexico; it is believed to have caused tropical storm force wind gusts along the coastline.Later that day, after turning west-northwestward, the convection increased markedly as an eyewall began to form.