Expected to track across sea surface temperatures greater than 82 ° F ( 28 ° C ) , the cyclone was forecast to gradually strengthen and within four days attain hurricane status ; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory predicted the depression to reach Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale within three days .
Expected to move across sea surface temperatures greater than 82 ° F ( 28 ° C ) , the cyclone was forecasted to slowly strengthen and within four days become a hurricane ; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory predicted the depression to reach Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale within three days .