Tropical Storm Fred Registered by Cuba

HAVANA TIMES, Sept. 8 – On Monday Tropical Storm Fred developed in the east Atlantic, the seventh such storm during the current hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30).

Still reeling from the three hurricanes that smacked into the island last year, Cuban weather authorities are constantly monitoring any storms appearing in the Atlantic, no matter how far away.

Late Monday night the Cuban Meteorological Institute announced the forming of Tropical Strom Fred 240 miles southwest of Cape Verde Islands off the African coast.  The storm packs 40 mph (65 kph) winds and a minimum central pressure of 1004 millibars, moving west at 15 mph.

The Institute predicts that Fred will turn to the north in the coming 24 to 48 hours and will gain in intensity.  At this time the storm presents no perceived threat to Cuba.