As the 2005 Atlantic tropical storm season draws to a close, Tropical Storm Delta is ensuring that it remains active to the last. At the end of this record-breaking season the latest storm is threatening Madeira and the Canary Islands with storm force winds and torrential rain, before an anticipated landfall on the Moroccan coast on Tuesday morning.

Maximum winds are in the region of 65 m.p.h. and, although Delta is expected to weaken during the next 24 hours, Madeira, the Canaries and parts of Morocco are still likely to experience storm force winds.

Torrential rain is considered to pose a more dangerous risk than strong winds, however. As much as 150 mm (6 inches) of rain could fall in a few hours over coastal areas of Morocco as Delta makes landfall, with potential flash flooding.

The Atlantic tropical storm season officially ends on 30 November and 2005 has broken the record for the number of tropical storms. Delta is the 25th storm of the season and forecasters are watching another Atlantic low pressure system which has the potential to become a tropical storm later in the week. The season also hit the headlines with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita having a huge impact along the Gulf coast of the USA.

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