Hurricane Fred Strengthens Over Atlantic

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. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Fred could become a Category 3 storm later Wednesday but is expected to start weakening Thursday.

2009 Storm Tracker: Atlantic
2009 Storm Tracker: Pacific

Fred is centered about 500 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and moving west-northwest near 13 mph. The island nation of Cape Verde is situated about 400 miles off the northwest African coast.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Linda is drifting slowly far out over the Pacific with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph.