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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

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Brian McCullough moved to Alaska in 1977 from Fresno, California to work on his uncle's gold mines in the foothills of Denali. Brian quickly caught the adventurous spirit and built his homestead on a high ridge above Talkeenta. His passion for all things mountaineering and building custom homes filled over four decades while living in Alaska. His first mountain rescue with the 'Mountain Maniacs' saved 2 lives from a plane crash at 10,000 on Denali in the month of December, 1981. This led to Brian's role participating in high mountain rescues in Denali National Park. Brian worked as a guide for several guiding companies on the slopes of the highest mountain of North America. He shares his observations of climate change in the Alaska Range through the lens of his camera. His photography has been shared throughout hundreds of lectures of climbing in the Alaska Range. As a master carpenter, his first sawmill that he acquired at age 22, cutting lumber out of the vast forest surrounding Talkeetna, shaped his life building custom homes. Above all, Brian loves sharing his passion for adventure and the outdoors with others.

He can be contacted at: www.talkeetnapro.com

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

If you are interested in booking a flight for a Super Cub ride, contact Katie at:

www.cubflights.com

www.katiewritergallery.com

Katie Writer

907-863-7669

Journalist/Pilot/Photographer

www.katiewritergallery.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

Some of the greatest observers of climate change are mountain guides. They travel on foot or ski, day after day, year after year, decade after decade, with clients from all around the world sharing their passion for nature. Their profession requires diligence for the safety of not only their clients, but for other outdoor recreations sharing the same mountain meccas. Their intimate knowledge of the mountains is incredibly valuable for observations of climate change.

One particularly seasoned mountain guide named Sergio Gabbio of the Italian Alps has watched the changes in his home region of Alagna. In this episode, Sergio shares his observations and stories as he approaches his 70th Birthday.

Thanks for listening to the Alaska Climate & Aviation Podcast!

Katie Writer

Ktphotowork@gmail.com

https://katiewritergallery.com

https://agingskibum.com

https://montagnadiluce.it

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 20th edition of the Arctic Report Card was released on December 16th, 2025 with an impressive compilation of scientific reports on the Arctic.

Today's conversation is with editor and long-time contributor, Rick Thoman, who is an award winning climate specialist at IARC’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness(ACCAP). Rick has attempted retirement more than once, but his passion for all things Arctic and climate fuel numerous newsletters and also news rooms as he is truly an expert on this topic. His positive impacts are felt amongst Arctic peoples and also for being a wonderful liaison between the scientific community and Arctic policy makers.

The Arctic Report Card is an annual report supported by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) with Pan-Arctic perspective and an independent editorial team. The efforts of scientists and climate specialists to create this robust scientific peer reviewed report is in Ricks words, "Herculean"! The amount of work contributed to this scientific document is extremely important in documenting climate change in the Arctic, which is warming at an alarming rate.

Rick discusses highlights that include surface air temperatures and impacts on intensity of storms, including Typhoon Halong, as well as terrestrial snow cover, Greenland Ice Sheet, sea ice, glaciers, marine algae, tundra greenness...all in relatable terminology from complex and hard earned scientific data.

The Report Card is intended for a wide audience, including scientists, teachers, students, decision-makers and the general public interested in the Arctic environment and science. It is encouraged that the Report Card to be utilized and studied, as the scientific community has created it to be an easily read report for the general population to better understand the complexities of the warming Arctic.

Here is the link to the 2025 Arctic Report Card:

https://arctic.noaa.gov/report-card/report-card-2025/

This year held a photo contest for the cover of the Arctic Report Card:

https://globalocean.noaa.gov/2025-arctic-report-card-photo-video-contest/

Here is the full PFD on the 2025 Arctic Report Card.

https://arctic.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ArcticReportCard_full_report2025.pdf

Be sure to visit this year's Arctic Report Card 2025 for all of the in-depth scientific review of the things that have caught attention of this year's events.

Here is the executive summary of the 2025 Arctic Report Card:

https://arctic.noaa.gov/report-card/report-card-2025/executive-summary-2025/

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

Katie Writer

journalist/pilot/photographer

ktphotowork@gmail.com

907/863-7669

PS. If you enjoy the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast, become a subscriber. Thanks for tuning in! Click here if you'd like to support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/951223/supporters/new

photo credit: Joana Kristin Steffens~finalist for Arctic Report Card Photo Contest

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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Long time contributor and climatologist, Brian Brettschneider, who works for the National Weather Service, provides in depth knowledge on why it was so windy in Palmer and Anchorage, Alaska for several days in a row recently. Brian explains how NOAA plays an important role in forecasting weather for aviation as well as the public on how to be prepared for wind events, cold snaps and winter weather advisories.

There were some record breaking winds at the Ted Steven's International Airport on December 15th, 2025, causing over 17 flights, both cargo and passenger flights, to divert to Fairbanks, Alaska.

In this episode, Brian talks about having emergency preparedness in one's mindset, especially in winter. The next week leading up to Winter Solstice, December 21st, 2025 is expected to continue to be cold with high wind chills. Be sure to pack the car with essentials of boots, warm gloves, extra winter clothing, hat, hand warmers, a head lamp, cell phone charger, sleeping bag, food and a shovel.

Brian can be reached at: Brian.brettschneider@noaa.gov

Thanks for listening to the Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast.

Katie Writer

ktphotowork@gmail.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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On October 11th and 12th, 2025, coastal villages of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta were hit by Typhoon Halong that devastated entire communities. Weather forecasters saw the track of Typhoon Halong coming and yet most of those communities are located on low lying lands without roads to higher grounds.

The aftermath of Typhoon Halong just prior to winter has required the evacuation of entire communities to Anchorage, Alaska with military planes, as the entire infrastructure and access to clean water were destroyed by this historic weather event.

Climatologist, Rick Thoman, discusses the weather pattern that led up to Typhoon Halong, as well as how to help displaced families and pets.

Resources to Help:

Alaska Community Foundation
https://alaskacf.org/

World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org/

YK Delta Dog Rescue
https://www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/

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

Katie Writer

ktphotowork@gmail.com

907/863-7669

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