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Senior Climate Scientist, Brian Brettschneider with the National Weather Service in the Regional Headquarters office in Anchorage, Alaska is today's guest for the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast. According to Brettschneider, the Climate Prediction's Center is soon to be renamed the Extended Prediction Division. Brettschneider's expertise on this past spring's cold temperatures, records and also predictions for this summer in Alaska are shared in this episode.

In addition, Brian shares his presentation about the El Niño, stating that we have a 55% chance of a strong El Niño in Alaska, which can mean low moisture.

https://youtu.be/1_f98gth_zs?si=X6URTiJ_0st12JAA

National Weather Service~Anchorage:

https://www.weather.gov/afc?story=6

Thanks for tuning into the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast.

Katie Writer

If you are interested in taking a scenic flight in a Piper Super Cub in Alaska, check out: Cub Flights with Katie

http://www.cubflights.com

Support the show

You can visit my website for links to other episodes and see aerial photography of South Central Alaska at:
https://www.katiewritergallery.com

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The 12th Arctic Encounter Summit was held April 15-17, 2026 in Anchorage, Alaska at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center. Many leaders and attendees that gather year after year for the Arctic Encounter come for renewal and friendship with the common bond of all things Arctic, including discussions about climate change, scientific research, fisheries, natural resources, Arctic policy, military strategy, meting sea ice and permafrost, subsistence hunting, land usage and leadership of Indigenous youth. After a rather tense year in Arctic Geopolitics, this year's Arctic Encounter served an even greater purpose of renewal and rebuilding trust of alliances.

For those first learning about the Arctic Encounter, it is the largest Arctic Policy event attended by Arctic leaders and Indigenous leaders, Members of Parliament and Ambassadors from nations including the United States, Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Faroe Islands, Slovenia, European Union, and Indigenous Leaders including the Inuit & Inupiat. Military leaders, businesses of the North, including Alaska Airlines, Davie Defense, and the University of Alaska also were part of the discussions, breakout sessions and forums. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Governor Mike Dunleavy gave featured remarks during luncheons on Thursday and Friday that added important leadership insights about the current state of affairs as well as the importance of maintaining alliances among all of the Arctic Nations.

This year's challenges in the Arctic felt like a 'Summit' since the tensions, war in Iran and a disrupted world order have greatly impacted the trust between long time allies and alliances.

The moderators that played a key role in the intensive discussions held over the three days were Mike Sfraga and Libby Casey, both being as seasoned as they come. Sfraga, a former US Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, and Casey of NPR and former Washington Post and Alaska Public Media, tactfully led panels of leaders, scientists, politicians, and Indigenous leaders thru fascinating and sometimes difficult topics about the current affairs in the Arctic.

Founder and CEO of the Arctic Encounter, Rachel Kallander and her team, Jackson Blackwell, Reed Davidson, and Board of Directors created a welcoming atmosphere at this year's 2026 Arctic Encounter Summit that fostered discussions, collaboration, friendship and renewed bonds for an inclusive exceptional Arctic Policy event.

https://www.arcticencounter.com

I'd like to thank Rachel Kallander, Jackson Blackwell, Reed Davidson, and their incredible teamwork in putting on this year's Arctic Encounter Summit.

Thank you all for listening to the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast. I can be reached at: ktphotowork@gmail.com

As we approach the summer of 2026, I'm happy to announce that I will be operating a scenic flight business, Visionary Adventures with my Piper Super Cub for flights over Alaska's beautiful wilderness.

Katie Writer

Pilot/Journalist/Photographer

Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast

907/863-7669

www.cubflights.com

Support the show

You can visit my website for links to other episodes and see aerial photography of South Central Alaska at:
https://www.katiewritergallery.com

Send us Fan Mail

Today's episode includes an interview with David Kochevar of AAWU, Alaska Aviation Weather Unit of Anchorage, Alaska. David has been a long time meteorologist and loves to share his work on helping not only aviators with weather forecasting, but serving the public as well.

This past year, updates were made to the forecasting models for general aviation as an improvement to weather forecasting. Dave discusses some of those updates as well as the importance of warning systems for volcanic activity and ash warnings in Alaska.

At the end of March, Alaskas are also thinking about spring break up when all the river ice breaks up, sometimes causing flooding and havoc on villages, towns and communities.

Here are some links on all the resources available on the world wide web.

AAWU website: https://www.weather.gov/aawu
NWS Alaska: https://www.weather.gov/alaska
Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center: https://www.weather.gov/aprfc

Thank you for listening to the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast!

Katie Writer

For those interested in the birds eye view of Alaska, I am now offering super cub flights in my airplane. Check out: www.cubflights.com

Support the show

You can visit my website for links to other episodes and see aerial photography of South Central Alaska at:
https://www.katiewritergallery.com