AP Photo/NOAA
This image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Fred, lower right, taken at 7:45 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. Hurricane Fred has quickly strengthened to a Category 2 storm in the Atlantic and forecasters say it could become a major hurricane later.
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Hurricane Fred grows into Category 3 storm far out over Atlantic Ocean
September 09, 2009 9:18 AM
MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Fred has gained strength to become the second major hurricane of the Atlantic season but remains far out at sea without threatening land.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Fred gained strength Wednesday to a Category 3 storm. It's projected five-day path will keep it over the open ocean until it loses steam.
Fred's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 mph. The storm is expected to weaken again Thursday.
The storm is centered about 540 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and moving west-northwest near 13 mph.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Linda is drifting slowly far out over the Pacific with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph.
