Hurricane Fred

Hurricane Fred

Hurricane Fred strengthened into a Category 3 storm over the eastern Atlantic on Wednesday but was forecast to steer clear of any land, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Fred had top winds of 120 miles per hour (195 km per hour) and was located west of the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa. Hurricane Fred has quickly strengthened to a Category 2 storm in the Atlantic and forecasters say it could become a major hurricane later in the day. Fred’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph (165 kph) early Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Fred could become a Category 3 storm later Wednesday but is expected to start weakening Thursday.

Fred is centered about 500 miles (805 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and moving west-northwest near 13 mph (20 kph). Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Linda is drifting slowly far out over the Pacific with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph (100 kph). Hurricane Fred forms in Atlantic; winds at 75 mphMIAMI — Forecasters say Hurricane Fred has formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean with winds at 75 mph (120 kph) and is expected to strengthen. The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday night that the Category 1 hurricane is about 445 miles (715 km) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and moving west near 12 mph (19 kph). Tropical Storm Fred forms in AtlanticMIAMI — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Fred has formed in the Atlantic and is expected to strengthen over the next couple of days. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Linda far out in the Pacific Ocean didn't gain in intensity Monday night.