Hurricane Fred Heads To Cape Verde Islands, Warning Issued; Jimena Continues To Remain Category 4 Hurricane

Hurricane Fred, swiftly approaching the Cape Verde Islands, off the African coast, in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, is likely to impact the islands Tuesday morning. Cape Verde Meteorological Service has issued a hurricane warning as Fred is expected to bring heavy rains, flash floods and mudslides.

Formerly a tropical storm, Fred strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane early Monday, and is located about 70 miles east-northeast of Praia, Cape Verde Islands, Reuters reported, citing the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Fred's maximum sustained winds are about 80 mph with higher gusts, the center said in an advisory.

Fred is expected to move north-westward over the Cape Verde Islands before going westward across the Atlantic, AccuWeather.com reported. Before heading to the islands, the hurricane will strengthen due to warm waters and low winds.

The islands will face hurricane conditions Monday afternoon and rainfall of 4 to 6 inches, which can go up to 10 inches. This can cause “life-threatening” flooding and mudslides, and conditions will deteriorate on the easternmost island of Boa Vista Monday afternoon, the hurricane center said.

“A storm surge is expected to produce coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds in the Cape Verde Islands. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the Miami-based weather forecaster added.

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Jimena strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane early Saturday. Jimena is located over 1,500 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, and is moving west-northwest toward central Pacific, according to reports. Jimena is predicted to remain a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) through Monday and currently no warnings are in effect, according to the Weather Channel.

Jimena is expected to continue in the west-northwest direction at a slower rate. Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with higher gusts, the hurricane center said in an advisory Monday. A slow weakening of the hurricane is forecasted during the next 48 hours.

According to AccuWeather.com, there are currently three major hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific -- Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena.