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Experts in the Media: Hurricane Season Isn’t Shutdown. A Busy Week Looms For Meteorologists

UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' Marshall Shepherd is a leading expert and regular media contributor to Forbes Magazine

Oct 22, 2025

2 min

J. Marshall Shepherd


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When you think hurricane season is winding down, think again. Just as many people begin to relax after a stretch of calm weather, the atmosphere often has other plans. Meteorologists are warning that even as we head deeper into October, the tropics are far from done stirring. The “off-season,” as Dr. Marshall Shepherd puts it, can be one of the most deceptive times of year—when attention fades but nature remains restless.


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Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences.


View his profile here



In his recent Forbes article, Shepherd, a leading atmospheric scientist and former president of the American Meteorological Society, reminds readers that the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t have an on-off switch. While it may appear to be slowing, meteorologists are bracing for a busy week ahead as multiple weather systems continue to develop. He explains that this year’s pattern demonstrates how tropical activity often ebbs and flows, and a lull in storms doesn’t mean the threat has passed.



Shepherd highlights how experts are closely watching sea-surface temperatures, wind shear, and atmospheric moisture—factors that can quickly transform calm seas into cyclone breeding grounds. Despite the calendar inching toward November, he warns that conditions remain ripe for sudden storm formation.


Ultimately, Shepherd’s message is one of preparedness and respect for nature’s unpredictability. Even when the radar looks clear, the tropics can still surprise us. His call to stay alert is a timely reminder that meteorology is not about predicting the past—it’s about anticipating the next twist in the weather’s unfolding story.


Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather-climate expert and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia.


He's available to speak with the media about this topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.


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J. Marshall Shepherd

J. Marshall Shepherd

Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program | Associate Dean

A leading International expert on weather and climate frequently called upon by the White House, Congress, and national media.

Hurricane and Tropical StormsClimateWeatherData AnalysisClimate Change

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