The second hurricane of the Atlantic season formed yesterday afternoon NZT and this morning Hurricane Fred rapidly strengthened into a Category three storm with with winds averaging 185km/h.

The centre of Fred was located west-south-west of the Cape Verde Islands in the far eastern tropical Atlantic.

Some weakening is expected today but Fred should stay a major hurricane for the rest of Thursday before likely weakening on Friday or Saturday NZT

Satellite images indicate that Fred has wind gusts higher than 185km/h according to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami.