tropical

THE UK’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark is about to get even better.

The new owners of the enormous attraction in Staffordshire have promised ‘upgrades’ and ‘grand plans’ coming as soon as next month.

Waterworld Aqua Park in Stoke-on-Trent is known for its thrilling slides, pools, and best of all, being 30C even in winter.

Earlier this year, Waterworld Leisure Limited and Waterworld Leisure Group Limited was bought in a multi-million pound sale by a European company, Looping Group.

Waterworld’s managing director Wayne Goodall said: “Recent years have seen big changes at the resort, and we are all excited about this new phase. With the new owners, we will bring experience, quality and security to the next level.

“Waterworld itself has already had a total overhaul of its Water’s Edge Restaurant, focusing on a new, high-quality menu and a reorganised, speed-of-service system to give our guests more time in the pool and less time queuing for their lunch.

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“There are significant upgrade plans for the pool hall installations this November too and guests will start to see lots of improvements for themselves, very quickly, and grander plans are also in the pipeline.”

Waterworld has 30 different rides and attractions including Thunderbolt, the UK’s first trap door drop waterslide, of course there’s a main pool and river rapids too.

The Space Bowl is another popular one, where visitors are thrown around a “UFO” before ending up in the splash pool beneath.

Other rides include Nucleus – a water rollercoaster – as well as Stormchaser and Cyclone.

It’s not all about pools though as The Waterworld Leisure Resort also has Adventure Mini Golf with two 18-hole, tiki-themed mini golf courses, and M Club Spa and gym.

In 2024, £13million was spent on behind-the-scenes upgrades to the waterpark.

The year before in 2023, one of the new additions was the £250,000 immersive play village.

Inside the Adventure Mini Village is its own mini Staffordshire Barge, The Old Vic Theatre and kids can even create their own pottery in the Kiln.

There’s also a post office, vets, doctors, farm shop, construction site and ice cream van.

A restaurant, cafe and gift shop are also of course on-site, and an outdoor pool which will reopen in spring.

The Waterworld site isn’t the only one owned by Looping Group – it acquired Drayton Manor in August 2020 and West Midlands Safari Park in 2018.

Currently, Waterworld is offering tickets to the water park for £19.99 (up until November 3, 2025).

To make the most of your visit, you can get one visit to Waterworld Aqua Park and one visit to West Midlands Safari Park for £35pp.

The offer is called the Splash ‘N’ Safari Ticket and is available to buy up until February 1, 2026.

Other combination tickets include the Waterworld and Adventure Mini Golf Combo ticket.

This is valid for a one single admission to Waterworld and one round of 18 holes at Adventure Mini Golf for £30pp.

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One writer visited the ‘world’s best waterpark’ just three hours from the UK and it’s like being on another planet.

Plus, here are three of the UK’s biggest indoor waterparks with tropical climates and heated infinity pools.

The storm could grow into a hurricane by Friday and a major one by the late weekend.

Tropical Storm Melissa is threatening the Caribbean Sea islands with dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding, as officials urge residents of flood-prone areas to seek higher ground and shelter.

Jamaica’s eastern region could see up to 12 inches (300mm) of rain. “Now that is significant rainfall, and that is the main thing that we should be mindful of at this time,” Evan Thompson, director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, said.

Similar rainfall amounts were expected for southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic through Saturday, with even more rain possible locally, depending on Melissa’s path later in the week.

Heavy rain was also forecast for western Jamaica, southern Hispaniola, Aruba and Puerto Rico.

Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 50mph (85km/h) and was moving west at 2mph (4km/h) late on Wednesday night, according to the US National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The slow-moving storm was centred about 335 miles (535km) south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and some 295 miles (475km) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

The NHC said the storm could strengthen gradually in the coming days and grow into a hurricane by Friday and a major hurricane by the late weekend.

Heavy rains in the Dominican Republic have already disrupted traffic and led to the cancellation of sports events.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the first named storm to form in the Caribbean this year.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season – which runs from June 1 to November 30 – with 13 to 18 named storms.

Of those, five to nine were forecast to become hurricanes, including two to five major hurricanes, which pack winds of 111mph or greater.

Cars slogged through the flooded streets of Santo Domingo as Tropical Storm Melissa dumped heavy rain and wind gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour. The stom, which also drenched Haiti, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Friday.

Oct. 21 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Melissa is moving slowly through the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, meaning portions of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were expected to see major flooding through the week, the National Hurricane Center said.

Melissa was about 305 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and 335 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, the NHC said in its 8 a.m. EDT update. The storm had remained virtually stationary since the agency’s previous update 3 hours earlier.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving west-northwest at 2 mph.

A hurricane watch was in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Jamaica. Those elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba should monitor the progress of Melissa, the NHC said.

A decrease in speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and north are expected in the next few days, according to the NHC, which said it expects Melissa to approach Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti later this week.

The NHC forecasts that Melissa will strengthen into a hurricane Friday afternoon.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic can expect 5 to 10 inches of rain through Friday, the NHC said. More heavy rainfall is possible after Friday, but forecasters aren’t confident in predictions because of the uncertainty of Melissa’s speed and direction. Areas of significant flash flooding and mudslides are possible.

Across Aruba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected through Friday. Flash and urban flooding will be possible across Puerto Rico through at least Friday.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the season, and it’s the first in the Caribbean. This season has seen few storms, which has warmed the Caribbean Sea. Now, the warm water is fuel for stronger, more dangerous storms.

Oct. 21 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Melissa was churning in the Caribbean late Tuesday, according to forecasters warning Hispaniola to expect heavy rains and flooding over the next few days.

Melissa was about 325 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. EDT update. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving west at 153 mph.

A hurricane watch was in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Jamaica. Those elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba should monitor the progress of Melissa, the NHC said.

A decrease in speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and north are expected in the next few days, according to the NHC, which said it expects Melissa to approach Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti later this week.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic can expect 5 to 10 inches of rain through Friday, the NHC said. More heavy rainfall is possible after Friday, but forecasters aren’t confident in predictions because of the uncertainty of Melissa’s speed and direction. Areas of significant flash flooding and mudslides are possible.

Across Aruba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected through Friday. Flash and urban flooding will be possible across Puerto Rico through at least Friday.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the season, and it’s the first in the Caribbean. This season has seen few storms, which has warmed the Caribbean Sea. Now, the warm water is fuel for stronger, more dangerous storms.

Oct. 21 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Melissa has begun churning in the Caribbean and is moving toward Haiti, to possibly become a hurricane.

In its 2 p.m. EDT update, the National Hurricane Center said Melissa was about 300 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and is moving west at 14 mph.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the southern coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince, and for Jamaica. Those elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba should monitor the progress of Melissa, the NHC said.

A decrease in speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and north is expected in the next few days, the NHC said. Melissa is expected to approach southwestern Haiti and Jamaica later this week, bringing heavy rains.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic can expect 5 to 10 inches through Friday, NHC said. More heavy rainfall is possible after Friday, but forecasters aren’t confident of predictions because of the uncertainty of Melissa’s speed and direction. Areas of significant flash flooding and mudslides are possible.

Over Aruba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected through Friday. Flash and urban flooding will be possible across Puerto Rico through at least Friday.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the season, and it’s the first in the Caribbean. This season has seen few storms, which has warmed the Caribbean Sea. Now, the warm water is fuel for stronger, more dangerous storms.

The country is hit by some 20 storms and typhoons a year, striking disaster-prone areas where millions live in poverty.

Thousands of residents of a Philippine island have fled their homes along the Pacific coast as weather experts warned of coastal flooding ahead of the approach of Tropical Storm Fengshen, rescue officials said.

The eye of the storm was forecast to brush past Catanduanes, an impoverished island of 270,000 people, later on Saturday with gusts of up to 80km/h (50mph).

Fengshen will bring heavy rainfall, along with a “minimal to moderate risk” of coastal flooding from 1.2-metre (3.2-foot) waves being pushed ashore, the government weather service said.

More than 9,000 residents of Catanduanes moved to safer ground, the provincial disaster office said, in an often-repeated drill on the island that has previously been the first major landmass hit by cyclones that form in the western Pacific Ocean.

The Catanduanes provincial government ordered local officials to “activate their respective evacuation plans” for residents of “high-risk areas”, including the coast, low-lying communities and landslide-prone slopes, rescue official Gerry Rubio told the AFP news agency.

The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year, striking disaster-prone areas where millions of impoverished people live.

Scientists warn that storms are becoming more powerful as the planet warms due to human-driven climate change.

Fengshen comes as the country is still reeling from a series of major earthquakes and typhoons that killed dozens of people in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, at least 79 people were killed in a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu province in the central Philippines.

Days later, another earthquake struck, this time a magnitude 7.4 off the coast of the southern Philippines, killing at least six people and triggering a second, magnitude 6.9 quake later in the day. Tsunami warnings were issued after each earthquake.

In late September, several people were killed and thousands were evacuated from villages and schools in the northern Philippines, while offices were closed, as Typhoon Ragasa struck.

Flooding set off by heavy rainfall in Mexico has left at least 28 people dead and more missing, and has caused landslides, damaged homes and highways, according to local authorities.

Downpours in the affected areas in the central and southeastern parts of the country led to overflowing rivers and road collapses that cut off power in some municipalities, the national coordinator for civil defence, Laura Velazquez, said on Friday.

Civil defence authorities reported intense rainfall in 31 of 32 states, with the worst-affected areas being Veracruz in the east, Queretaro and Hidalgo in the centre, and the north-central state of San Luis Potosi.

One of the hardest hit areas was the central state of Hidalgo, where 16 deaths have been reported, according to state Interior Secretary Guillermo Olivares Reyna.

At least 1,000 homes, 59 hospitals and clinics, and 308 schools have suffered damage in the state because of landslides and overflooding rivers.

In neighbouring Puebla state, nine people died and 13 were missing. According to the state governor, some 80,000 people were affected by the heavy rains, while a gas pipeline was ruptured by a landslide.

In the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, two people died, including a police officer, according to its state governor. Some 5,000 homes were damaged and the navy evacuated nearly 900 people to shelters.

Earlier, authorities in the central state of Queretaro confirmed that the child had died after being caught in a landslide.

The heavy rainfall also caused power outages affecting more than 320,000 users and damage to almost 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of roads in six states, authorities said.

Tras las fuertes lluvias, la Secretaría de Marina (@SEMAR_mx ) desplegó tres mil 300 elementos en Puebla, Veracruz y San Luis Potosí.

También puso a disposición 18 embarcaciones, seis helicópteros, tres plantas potabilizadoras, tres aviones, tres cocinetas y cuatro mil… pic.twitter.com/O7ES5XBoKC

— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) October 11, 2025

Translation: Following the heavy rains, the Secretariat of the Navy (@SEMAR_mx ) deployed 300 personnel in Puebla, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí. It also made available 18 vessels, six helicopters, three water purification plants, three aircraft, three mobile kitchens, and 4,000 food baskets ready to be distributed.

“We are working to support the population, open roads and restore electrical services,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said after a meeting with local officials and cabinet members. She shared photos of emergency responders carrying supplies as they waded knee-deep in flooded streets.

The country has deployed more than 8,700 military personnel to help monitor, evacuate and clean up affected areas.

Mexico has been hit by particularly heavy rains throughout 2025, with a rainfall record set in the capital Mexico City.

Tropical Storm Raymond is currently off the country’s Pacific coast, dumping heavy rains as it moves northward. It is projected to make landfall on Mexican territory until Sunday. Raymond was announced midday on Thursday by the United States National Hurricane Center, making it the third system this week off the western coast of Mexico. It joined Tropical Storm Priscilla and post-tropical cyclone Octave, which threatened heavy rain and flooding in their paths.

Powerful waves crashed into Mexico’s Pacific coast as Hurricane Priscilla brought flooding along Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront. pic.twitter.com/P3s5lsiz9r

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) October 10, 2025

Meteorologists have warned that the Pacific Ocean cooling pattern called La Nina, which can warp weather worldwide and turbocharge hurricanes, has returned.

It may be too late in the hurricane season to impact tropical weather in the Atlantic, but this La Nina may have other impacts, from heavy rains to drought across the globe.

Sept. 28 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Imelda formed in the Atlantic on Sunday evening, making it the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Imelda had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. EDT update.

It was located about 125 miles northwest of the Central Bahamas and about 320 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Fla., according to the forecasters, who said it was moving north at 9 mph.

“Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Imelda is forecast to become a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday,” the NHC update said.

“On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas tonight and Monday and then turn east-northeastward, moving away from the southeastern U.S. by the middle part of this week.”

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Central Bahamas and San Salvador, as well as portions of northwestern Bahamas.

Eastern Cuba is expected to see 2 to 4 inches of rain with northwest Bahamas to see between 4 and 8 inches through Tuesday, the forecasters said.

“This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding,” NHC said. “Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba.”

Coastal southern North Carolina and its southeast are expected to see between 2 and 4 inches of rainfall with a maximum of 6 inches through Tuesday. This could also result in flash and urban flooding, the forecasters warned.

Swells generated by the cyclone, as well as Hurricane Humberto, will affect parts of the Bahamas this weekend and are predicted to spread to the southeast U.S. coast early next week.

The potential for swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, NHC said.

Sept. 24 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Humberto, the eighth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, formed Wednesday afternoon and is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday and ultimately a major one, the National Hurricane Center said.

In a 5 p.m. EDT posting, NHC said Humberto became a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, which is 1 mph below the minimum to be classified as a tropical storm. Six hours later, NHC said it had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. A storm became a hurricane with winds at least 74 mph.

At 11 p.m., Humberto was about 505 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph.

NHC said the storm is expected to continue in the same direction over the next few days but with a lower forward speed.

“It may intensify into a hurricane late this weekend or early next week,” Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, said.

NHC forecasters Richard Pasch and Eric Blake said in a discussion: “The system will probably become a hurricane in a couple of days, and then strengthen into a major hurricane.”

Humberto is forecast to pass between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast.

“Towards the end of the forecast period, an approaching trough moving offshore the East Coast of the United States will erode the ridge and allow the system to turn more northward,” NHC forecaster Larry Kelly said in a discussion. “However, there is quite a bit of uncertainty with the forward speed and cross-track spread of the system.”

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles, NHC said.

No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.

Of the eight named storms, two became hurricanes, both major.

In August, Erin intensified into a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds spreading across a 500-mile area. It did not make landfall in the United States but caused dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding along the East Coast, with the worst conditions in North Carolina and Virginia.

Gabrielle formed in mid-September and also became a major hurricane, a Category 4. In the 3 a.m. GMT update Thursday, Gabrielle had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph as a Category 1 storm and was about 855 miles west of the Azores.

Tropical Storm Chantal was the only storm to make landfall in the U.S. — South Carolina on July 6.

Sept. 17 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Wednesday morning over the open Atlantic Ocean and is forecast to strengthen to hurricane force over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.

The eye of the storm was about 990 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, the NHC said in its 5 p.m. EST update. Gabrielle had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving northwest at 14 mph.

“A northwest or west-northwest motion is expected to continue over the next few days,” the update said.

The NHC said there will be little strengthening of Gabrielle over the next 48 hours, but it may gradually intensify into a hurricane by Sunday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle is the Atlantic hurricane season’s seventh named storm after Tropical Storms Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter and Ferdinand, and Hurricane Erin.

Sept. 12 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Mario is small but strengthening off the west coast of Mexico Friday.

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center was at 4:23 a.m. Friday. It said Mario is a small tropical cyclone about 20 nautical miles off the coast of Guerrero, Mexico. The tropical depression was boosted to Tropical Storm Mario with maximum winds estimated at 40 mph.

Because of Mario’s closeness to the coast of Mexico, the Mexican government has issued a tropical storm watch for a small segment of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Punta San Telmo.

NHS said it’s having trouble predicting Mario’s trajectory because of its small size and closeness to land. Some models show the system moving inland and dissipating Friday, but others show Mario reaching hurricane strength. Mario is expected to reach colder waters by day five and become a post-tropical cyclone.

Mario has been moving faster toward the west-northwest at 14 mph, parallel to the coast of Mexico.

Heavy rainfall will affect southern Mexico through Sunday, which could result in flash flooding, particularly in areas of higher terrain.

Tropical storm conditions are possible along portions of the coast of Michoacan Friday. Gusty winds are possible elsewhere along the coasts of western Guerrero, Michoacan, and Colima through Friday night.

Sept. 4 (UPI) — Lorena weakened back to tropical storm strength Wednesday after spending about a day as a hurricane off the western Mexican coast, forecasters said.

The storm, which formed early Tuesday, was about 175 miles west of Cabo San Lazaro on the Baja California Peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center in its 8 p.m. PDT update.

It had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving northwest at 5 mph.

The Mexican government canceled all watches and warnings associated with Lorena, but the NHC warned that areas in Baja California Sur and Sonora should monitor heavy rainfall across the region.

“This will increase the risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides across northwest Mexico,” the NHC said.

Forecasters also called for heavy rainfall in Arizona and New Mexico with flash flooding possible in Arizona.

Lorena, the 12th named storm in the Eastern North Pacific this year, formed as Hurricane Kiko continued to strengthen over the Pacific Ocean.

Sept. 2 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Kiko is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the next 24 hours, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Kiko was located about 1,880 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, while moving west at 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. HST update.

“Steady strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Kiko is expected to become a hurricane by tonight,” the NHC said.

Tropical storm-force winds extend 45 miles from the storm’s eye.

The NHC predicts the storm system will continue on its westerly track on Tuesday and move away from North America.

There were no weather watches or warnings in effect.

“Despite somewhat drier mid-level conditions along its forecast track, the combination of light vertical wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures and Kiko’s small compact core should allow for strengthening in the short term,” the NHC forecast said during its 11 a.m. update on Monday.

The storm formed on Sunday, making it the 11th named storm in the Eastern North Pacific this year.

Aug. 31 (UPI) — A new tropical storm formed over the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, making Kiko the 11th named storm in the Eastern North Pacific this year.

Tropical Storm Kiko formed early Sunday and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph as of 5 p.m. HST Sunday, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.

It was located about 1,120 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California and was moving west at 9 mph.

The forecasters said they expect Kiko to steadily strengthen over the next couple of days. An NHC discussion on Kiko states they believe it will likely cross into the central Pacific basin in four to five days.

It is expected to grow to hurricane strength in a day or two.

“Kiko is currently a compact system,” NHC forecaster John Cangialosi said in the discussion.

“Although it is forecast to get larger, the model guidance suggests that it will likely be on the smaller side through the week.”

The Caribbean is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands and the surrounding coasts. It is located South-East of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.

The Caribbean is a treasure trove of cultural gems, offering a unique charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. Indeed, the vibrant culture of the Caribbean is its biggest draw, showcasing a mix of architectural wonders, colourful festivities, and historical treasures.

It’s a dream destination for those seeking a tranquil getaway, with pristine white sandy beaches and a tropical climate.

Tourism is a key pillar in the economies of all Caribbean islands, which welcome visitors with open arms. One island, in particular, has won over many British holidaymakers, offering the ultimate tropical retreat.

Barbados, an eastern Caribbean island neighbouring Saint Lucia, the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent, is considered one of the safest islands in the region.

This popular cruise ship port is also famed as a foodie paradise, with delicious food and rum at the heart of its culture, reports the Express.

In fact, several annual Food and Rum Festivals are held here, attracting visitors who return year after year to enjoy its delights.

With direct flights from London and an average temperature of 29C in September, Barbados is the perfect autumnal escape.

Surrounded by coral reefs, the island’s crystal-clear waters are warm and invigorating, and the mostly flat terrain is ideal for leisurely strolls to soak up the tropical atmosphere.

The region boasts delightful temperatures all year round, seldom going above 30C or below 22C.

Navigating the island is a doddle, with a top-notch road network and an international airport situated near the southern coast.

Barbados is an outdoor lover’s dream, featuring mountains, rainforests, beaches and coral reefs.

The area is famed for its sugarcane fields, tropical trees and rich wildlife.

Don’t be surprised if you come across dolphins, monkeys, mongooses, barracudas, and even flying fish during your journey.

The national dish of Barbados is Cou Cou and fried flying fish, with pudding and souse also being popular choices.

No Caribbean holiday would be complete without a refreshing rum punch, a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

With a plethora of activities on offer, including swimming with turtles, catamaran cruising, monkey feeding, rum tours and kayaking, this island retreat promises to rejuvenate and refresh any weary traveller.

A far-flung holiday destination is stealing the limelight due to its white sand beaches, lush jungle and volcanic landscapes – and it’s hot in Autumn.

The volcanic island chain of Cape Verde, nestled in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa, epitomises the idyllic island life – boasting year-round warm temperatures, sandy beaches, lush, mountainous areas and a volcanic landscape, reports the Express.

Cape Verde -also known as Cabo Verde- enjoys glorious weather for most of the year. In September, typically the hottest month, temperatures can climb up to a sizzling 35C. By October, you can still expect balmy weather with temperatures hovering between 26 and 28C, peaking at around 30C. Even in the cooler months of January and February, temperatures rarely dip below a pleasant 21C.

This cluster of 10 islands lies hidden in the eastern Atlantic, directly opposite the small African nation of Senegal.

Cape Verde secured independence from Portugal in 1975, though the islands’ heritage endures today through landmarks like the Monumento de Diogo Gomes – a monument to the Portuguese explorer – and the Presidential Palace, constructed during the 19th century for the Portuguese governor.

Cape Verdean culture is a rich blend of Portuguese and West African influences.

The republic boasts its own distinctive music and dance, collectively named Morna – which is most often sung in Cape Verdean Creole, a language that is commonly spoken throughout the islands, in addition to the official language of Portuguese.

Fogo Island stands as the clearest testament to the archipelago’s volcanic heritage, with Fogo meaning “fire” in Portuguese.

The cone-shaped peak of Pico do Fogo soars to 2,829 metres and last erupted in 2015 – though this doesn’t appear to concern the nearly 36,000 residents. Chã das Caldeiras, a settlement of roughly 700 people, sits within the volcano’s crater.

Visitors can explore the hauntingly deserted Esperadinha Airport, situated on the south-westernmost island of Brava. The airport is situated on the only flat pieces of land, a precarious location on a narrow promontory near the water’s edge.

The terminal opened its doors in 1992 but had to cease operations in 2004 due to the strong winds that made it perilous for planes to land.

Nowadays, one can wander across the abandoned tarmac and inside its dilapidated buildings. There are two other defunct airports in the archipelago – Agostinho Neto Airport, in Santo Antão and Mosteiros in Fogo.

Flights are between five and a half to six hours long, with direct connections from the UK to Sal or Boa Vista primarily operated by TUI Airways and easyJet from various UK airports like London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol.

Those willing to make the trip to this far-flung paradise, however, will be rewarded with sun, sand, fascinating culture and stunning views.

Aug. 24 (UPI) — The season’s sixth named storm, Tropical Storm Fernand, gained a bit of strength Sunday night in the Atlantic Ocean but is not expected to make landfall before dying out next week.

The tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph while located about 320 miles east of Bermuda and moving north-northeast at 13 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. EDT advisory.

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward about 60 miles from the storm’s eye, the NHC said.

“On the forecast track, Fernand should move across the open waters of the subtropical central Atlantic well east and northeast of Bermuda,” it said.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, and the storm likely will remain at sea throughout its life.

The forecasters said in a discussion on the storm that they expect it to continue to increase in strength over the next 12 to 24 hours as it moves over warm water, though it should weaken starting late Monday or Tuesday as it travels over a sea surface where temperatures are expected to decrease significantly.

“This will cause the system to weaken, and become post-tropical on Wednesday,” the NHC said.

The storm system began forming as Hurricane Eric affected areas along the East Coast without making landfall last week. The hurricane was the season’s first and briefly reached Category 4 status with maximum sustained winds of up to 150 mph.

Colorado State University climatologists in April predicted this year’s storm season will produce 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes.

The climatologists predicted four hurricanes would reach “major” Category 3 storm status with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

The annual Atlantic storm season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Last year produced 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes.

Five hurricanes became major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher, including the highly destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Aug. 23 (UPI) — The season’s sixth named storm, Tropical Storm Fernand, has formed in the tropical Atlantic Ocean but is not expected to make landfall before dying out next week.

The tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph while located about 405 miles south-southeast of Bermuda and moving northerly at 15 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. EDT advisory.

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward about 105 miles from the storm’s eye, and the NHC said it should gain strength.

Fernand might reach hurricane strength on Monday, before starting to weaken on Tuesday, NHC forecasters said.

No coastal watches are warnings are in effect, and the storm likely will remain at sea throughout its life.

Forecasters expect the storm system to gain forward momentum while continuing on a north-northeast path over the next couple of days and move well east of Bermuda before turning northeasterly into the North Atlantic.

The storm system began forming as Hurricane Eric affected areas along the East Coast without making landfall. The hurricane was the season’s first and briefly reached Category 4 status with maximum sustained winds of up to 150 mph.

Colorado State University climatologists in April predicted this year’s storm season will produce 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes.

The climatologists predicted four hurricanes would reach “major” Category 3 storm status with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

The annual Atlantic storm season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and last year produced 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, in 2024.

Five hurricanes became major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher, including the highly destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Aug. 20 (UPI) — Tropical storm conditions were descending upon the North Carolina coast late Wednesday, according to forecasters who are warning beachgoers against swimming at most U.S. East Coast beaches due to “life-threatening” surf and rip currents.

The Category 2 storm, described as “large” by the NHC, had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, just shy of a Category 3 hurricane. The eye of the storm was located about 485 miles west of Bermuda and 215 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and was moving north at a rapid 16 mph, according to the NHC’s 11 p.m. EDT update.

A storm surge warning was in effect for from Cape Lookout to Duck, N.C., while a tropical storm warning was in effect for Beaufort Inlet, N.C., to Chincoteague, Va., including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

Bermuda was under a tropical storm watch.

“Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., Bermuda and Atlantic Canada during the next several days,” the NHC said. “Beachgoers in those areas should follow advice from lifeguards, local authorities and beach warning flags.”

Forecasters warned weather conditions were expected to deteriorate along the Outer Banks late Wednesday into Thursday. Storm surge and large waves could cause beach erosion and make some roads impassible.

Tropical storm conditions were expected to reach the Virginia coast Thursday and farther north through early Friday.

The season’s first Atlantic hurricane reached Category 5 status Saturday morning, the highest classification, after rapidly intensifying overnight Friday, when it became a Category 1 hurricane, the year’s fifth named storm.

Erin dropped to a Category 4 and then a 3 overnight into Sunday, but regained Category 4 strength late Sunday before again losing strength.

Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic storm season Friday morning.

There have been four named storms so far this season in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Chantal caused major flooding in North Carolina but has been the only one of the four to make landfall in the United States this year.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. The peak hurricane season runs from mid-August through September and into mid-October.

Ninety-three percent of hurricane landfalls along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the East Coast have occurred from August through October, the Weather Channel reported, citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Last year at this time, there had also been five named storms.