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National Weather Service: Fred strengthens into hurricane

By Tomas Monzon

PRAIA, Cape Verde, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The National Hurricane Center announced Monday the formation and strenghtening of Hurricane Fred near the islands of Cape Verde off the coast of Africa.

The center of the storm is located approximately 65 miles from the capital city of Praia, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and a present northwest movement at 12 mph.

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The storm is expected to make landfall on the islands Monday through Tuesday morning as a Category 1 hurricane. A warning has been issued there by the Cape Verde Meteorological Service.

The islands are typically unaffected by hurricanes.

Rainfall of four to six inches -- with a maximum of up to 10 inches in some areas -- could trigger flash flooding and mudslides. Coastal flooding is a possibility as well.

After hitting the islands, Fred is expected to continue heading northwest towards the open Atlantic Ocean, where southwesterly winds, stable air and cooler water will likely weaken the storm as the week goes on. Computer models suggest Fred likely won't impact the Caribbean or North America.

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