Tropical Storm Fred forms in eastern Atlantic off Africa

MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Fred formed in the eastern Atlantic off the coast of Africa on Sunday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Fred could reach hurricane status before or while it moves through the Cape Verde islands in 36 hours or so, the Miami-based forecaster said. Fred is the sixth named storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. Meanwhile, the remnants of Tropical Storm Erika, which dissipated over Cuba on Saturday, was producing gusty conditions and heavy rain over parts of south Florida, the NHC said. It could regain tropical storm force over the next day or so, the forecasters said, as it heads for the northwest Florida Panhandle.