Fred is now a hurricane and aiming for the Cape Verde Islands with sustained winds of 80 mph and higher gusts. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach portions of the Cape Verde Islands this morning, with hurricane conditions by this afternoon. Conditions will rapidly deteriorate on the island of Boa Vista during the next couple of hours.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the islands.
Fred is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph and this general motion is expected to continue today. A northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected on Tuesday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
A storm surge is expected to produce coastal flooding in the Cape Verde Islands. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
Fred is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 6 inches over the Cape Verde Islands, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches. These rains could produce life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
