Alaska Climate and Aviation Podcast

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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 r...

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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 Marc...

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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...

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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 h...

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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...

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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...

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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 we...

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A strong storm impacting Kotzebue on Oct. 8th, 2025 ...(one year after a 2024 storm)has the community evacuated from homes along the coast to the high school, which is on higher ground. Climatologist, Rick Thoman discusses the conditions that is causing the storm. In addition, weather forecasters are watching Typhoon Halong's path,  that could impact the Bering Sea on Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 11th & 12th, 2025. 

Rick Thoman also discusses the upcoming release of the 20th edition of the Arctic Report Card that will be released mid December, 2025. 

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Today's episode includes an interview with climate specialist, Rick Thoman. Rick discusses the conditions that lead to an atmospheric river, La Nina winter predictions and also the importance of weather forecasts and radio coverage for Alaskans. 

Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at IARC’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP).  Rick is a contributor and editor of the Arctic Report Card and was also awarded NOAA Distinguished Career Award for Professional Achievement in 2020. Rick was honored after a 30 plus year career with the National Weather Service for continued efforts to i...

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The 11th Arctic Encounter was held at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska, July 30-August 1st, 2025.  This years Arctic Encounter was attended by participants of over 27 countries. 

Founder and CEO of Arctic Encounter, Rachel Kallander, Advisor, Jackson Blackwell, and team members,  Reed Davidson, Anna Kardashyan, Harmony Wayner, and Trina Landlord welcomed Arctic ambassadors, policy makers, Indigenous leaders, Arctic business leaders and scientists to share perspectives and voices of the Arctic. 

Libby Casey, Senior News Anchor of The Washington Post, was the Moderator of this episode's topic, "Stra...

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The 11th Arctic Encounter was held at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska, July 30-August 1st, 2025 as well as the popular Far North Fashion Show held at the Anchorage Museum. This years Arctic Encounter was attended by participants of over 27 countries, including Arctic policy makers, Indigenous leaders, scientists, ambassadors, and business leaders in the North, US Military leaders, US government officials, artisans and fashion designers of the Arctic. 

Founder and CEO of Arctic Encounter, Rachel Kallander welcomed her newest family member, baby Jonah a bit earlier than expected t...

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Arctic Adventure by sailboat has been a longtime dream of American Arctic explorer, Lonnie Dupre.  Lonnie has been an Arctic explorer by dogsled, ski, and canoe for decades and is also a film maker documenting the impact of global warming on Arctic environments. His award winning movie, AMKA~One with a Friendly Spirit, shows his connection and his love for the Arctic and Arctic people.

Today's interview with Lonnie was a week after he and his partner, Pascale Marceau and two crew members, already set sail from the starting point of G...

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On January 12, 2025, Anchorage's Ted Stevens International Airport experienced high winds and severe turbulence that made it very difficult for landing aircraft. Lake Hood was temporarily closed and most of all other air traffic was diverted to Fairbanks International Airport. A heavy 777 Korean Cargo plane had to execute 3 missed approaches before safely landing. The teamwork of the air traffic controllers and pilots, who depend on information from weather models and wind data, can attempt to divert airliners from air pockets that contained unstable air causing the severe turbulence. 

Today's special guest is C...

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Today's conversation is with climatologist Brian Brettschneider. Recently, Brian was chosen for a new role for the National Weather Service of Alaska as "Senior Climate Scientist" and is a passionate communicator about expanding climate awareness. Topics include: weather forecasting, data & development of evolving technologies, La Nina Winter 2024 predictions and the teamwork of NWS with the FAA in improving weather forecasting.

Weather data is key component for weather forecasting that enables planning for fire fighting, sea ice travel and flooding preparation. The temperature and precipitation station of record for Anchorage is located...

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Today's conversation is with climate specialist, Rick Thoman. Topics discussed include climate impacts on caribou herds of the Arctic, The Arctic Report Card 2024, Arctic ERMA, CAPRI, and the challenges Arctic communities face as marine traffic increases in the Arctic. 

Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at IARC’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP).  Rick is a contributor and editor of the Arctic Report Card and was also awarded NOAA Distinguished Career Award for Professional Achievement in 2020. Rick was honored after a 30 plus year career with the National Weather Service for...

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The Arctic Encounter Symposium celebrated it's 10th year in Anchorage, Alaska at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center.  Arctic leaders, policy makers and creatives gathered from April 10-12th, 2024 to discuss challenges and successes of the today's current events in the Arctic. This episode is about the importance of empowering storytelling of the Inupiaq and how their youth need positive role models that embody the values and traditions of their people.  Podcaster, Alice Glenn shares how she started Coffee and Quaq and how she has grown a world wide audience. Alice and her ol...

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The Arctic Report Card is an annual report led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA). The efforts of scientists and climate specialists to create this robust scientific report every year is impressive.  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.

Today's episode is a conversation with Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at IARC’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP).  Rick is a contributor and editor of the Arctic Repo...

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Lonnie Dupre is a polar explorer and mountaineer who has spent considerable time in cold climates. Over a span of 4 decades, Lonnie has witnessed tremendous changes of polar regions of the world due to global warming, including Greenland and Alaska. While Lonnie is mostly an adventurer, he is also an advocate for spreading the awareness of global warming.
Recently, the film AMKA, meaning "one with a friendly spirit"  in Inuktun was released. This heartwarming film is a story in which the relationship of dog team, the unsung heroes of the Arctic is h...

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At the end of August, 2023, Alaska has been seeing some record continuous rainfall in Anchorage while South Central Alaska is experiencing flooding. Today's conversation with Climate Scientist, Brian Brettschneider, we discuss observations and challenges of the information age where people get overwhelmed by  weather overload.
While climate change can cause grief and despair, there is hope in how humans are working to overcome the challenges.
This episode includes what the summer highlights were as well as challenges on the North Slope when the fiber optics cable was damaged by sea ice.

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The Arctic Encounter Symposium, 2023 has been completed! After tremendous teamwork by event organizers, Rachel Kallander and Jackson Blackwell and staff, this year's Arctic Encounters Symposium was hugely inspiring. It was held March 29-31, 2023 at the Dena'ina Center in downtown Anchorage, Alaska.
This episode brings you to the wonderful voices and sounds of this year's speakers, including indigenous leaders and people passionate about the Arctic.

The theme of mentoring and "Who are you bringing up the mountain?" is highlighted in this episode of All Cooped Up Alaska.
For more information...

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The Arctic Report Card is an annual report led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA). The efforts of scientists and climate specialists to create this robust scientific report every year is impressive.  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.

Today's episode is a conversation with Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at IARC’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP).  Rick is a contributor and editor of the Arctic Repo...

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Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island near Juneau, Alaska hosted it's first IFSA Freeride Ski Event in March, 2022. This episode is conversations with IFSA Judge, Joe Turner, Eagle Crest Freeride Head Coach, Kevin Stell, and Eaglecrest General Manger, Dave Scanlan about the exceptional skiing of Junior Freeriders who travelled from all around the country to compete at Eaglecrest .. a new stop on the IFSA Freeride Junior Tour.

For more information: IFSA  https://www.ifsa.org  EagleCrest  https://www.skieaglecrest.com
For aerial photography and art: https://www.katiewritergallery.com

...

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Danial Doty has been working for Talkeetna Air Taxi for 19 years as a mechanic pilot. She enjoys working on the Turbine Otter as much as numerous challenging flying missions of South Central Alaska. She can multi-task with the best of them and when not flying or fixing aircraft, she can be seen fishing off the float plane with her son and Alaskan huskies.

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

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The Turbine Otter is not only the favorite airplane for glacier landings and expedition support in the Alaska Range, it has flown life stock from Talkeetna, Alaska to the Big River, which is on the other side of the Alaska Range.  The Alaska Range Homestead, a horse farm in Big River has slowly been growing it's Icelandic horses, one foal at time.
Listen to veteran Alaska Range Pilot, Paul Roderick of Talkeetna Air Taxi, share his stories and knowledge of the air cargo visit unique to Alaska.
For more information, visit:  Ta...

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COP26, Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Glasgow, UK  is underway November 1-12, 2021 with scientists and climate change experts discussing solutions for climate goals to cut greenhouse emission, including methane.

Today's guest are Daphne Wysham, CEO of Methane Action.org as well as clips from the COP26 presentation, "Beyond Cutting Methane Emissions: Why We Need to Enhance Atmospheric Methane Oxidation. Speakers include,  Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development as well as John FitzGerald, Counsel and Vice President of th...

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The Turbine Otter has become a widely used aircraft in Alaska for it's sturdiness, reliability, safety and performance. Today's episode, we talk with three Alaskan air taxi and lodge business owners about their coveted aircraft and how it came to be the 'Turbine Otter'.

Interviews include: Paul Claus of Ultima Thule Lodge, Suzanne Rust of K2 Aviation  and Talkeetna Air Taxi's Paul Roderick.

There will be a part II of the Turbine Otter story, in which includes how one operator transported horses across the Alaska Range to Big River.

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The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has grown into one of the nation's most popular maritime museums with an evolving floor of exhibits, virtual fishing, maritime history, a lighthouse lens, and world renowned speakers in it's in-house theater.

Santa Barbara's George Writer has devoted a tremendous amount of time in the development of many of these attractions, including the Honda Tragedy Exhibit. The Honda Tragedy was the worst peacetime maritime disaster in the history of the US Navy.  Lt. Commander Leslie Bratton, George's grandfather,  played a significant role in diverting one of th...

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Earth Week in Alaska is a special time to celebrate Mother Earth. This week's guest is Javier Robinson, who is well known in Anchorage for his incredible flower gardens and airbnb, Arctic Garden Suite.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23048042

With Earth Week and summer season upon us, check out aerial photography of Alaska's four seasons on my website as well as original nature inspired artwork.
As a pilot photographer with a Super Cub, my passion is sharing the bird's eye view with you. Check out my website.
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Springtime in Alaska comes alive with people celebrating the return of the sunshine and  lots of outdoor sports, including dog mushing. On March 7th, 46 dog teams departed Deshka Landing near Willow, Alaska and headed for the first checkpoint of Skwentna. As a flying reporter, my daughter and I headed out from Talkeetna, Alaska and flew to a small airstrip of Skwentna to look for the first dog teams. While we arrived a bit early to see the teams, our day was shaped by good Alaska fun of meeting folks off the road system a...

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Conversation with Rick Thoman, a Climate Specialist of Alaska Center Climate Assessment and Policy of University of Alaska Fairbanks and Brian Brettschneider, Research Scientist with National Weather Service Alaska Region. 

This interview was recorded on January 8th, 2021 and follows a previous episode of All Cooped Up Alaska, "Alaskan Weather Forecasters, Rick Thoman and Brian Brettschneider~Top 3 Alaska Weather Events of 2020 & Conversation about Technology". 

Thanks to Rick and Brian for their insights on how science organizations that are citizen driven are making a difference. 
Also, they discuss advice for you...

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As Steven Thompson winds down his career of forty years as owner/operator "Artistic Framing", his daughter, Amanda Faith Thompson is building her budding career as an artist located in Anchorage, Alaska.

Amanda grew up accustomed to measuring frames, building creations out of scraps in her father's frame shop. Now her kids get to share the fun and knowledge of the framing business while they also encourage Amanda with her own art business.
Amanda paints landscapes of Alaska, wild animals, seaside attractions and pet portraits.
She also accepts commission...

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As we roll into 2021, Climatologist Rick Thoman and Brian Brettschneider talk about the top 3 weather events that occurred in Alaska in 2020.

Rick Thoman is a Climate Specialist for the Alaska Center of Climate Assessment and Policy at University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Brian Brettschneider is a Research Physical Scientist with the National Weather Service Alaska Region.

In this conversation, we also discussed the role social media plays in gathering weather information, as well as the developments of weather collection technology.

Thanks for tuning in to All...

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Alaska Public Media New's Director, Lori Townsend has been a prominent voice in Alaska since 2003. Townsend has another voice of fiction and has released her third book, "Operation Wind Storm: Manifest Destiny meets the Green Revolution".
Today's interview coincided with her birthday. Listen to Lori talk about what motivates her in creating her heroine character, Zilla Gillette, a spunky and brave journalist.
You can reach Lori on her Facebook Page: Lori Townsend~Author  and order "Operation Windstorm" on Amazon link below.
https://amzn.to/3mZK4wo
Stay tuned for s...

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It's December 11th and we are approaching winter solstice.
Alaskans love this landmark as we are in the long nights of winter. In this episode, we talk about what Alaskans do to fill their cups in the long winter nights.
Thanks for tuning in to All Cooped Up Alaska!
Katie Writer

You can see my art and photography on website below.
Get 15% off your order for limited time.
Code in checkout: podcast15
Free 2021 wall calendar for orders $150 or more.
https://www.katiewritergallery.com
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Climatology continues to play a huge role in the education and preparation for Alaskans in a  changing climate. 

Rick Thoman tried to retire  a couple years ago, but finds that his passion for all things climate keep him working with the scientific community. After receiving an honor of the 2020 NOAA Distinguished Career Award for Professional Achievement, Rick continues to share his knowledge with his colleagues, including Brian Brettschneider of Anchorage. 

PhD Climatologist  and Environmental Geographer, Brian Brettschneider,  works closely with Rick Thoman, who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska. While he claims...

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The history of Alaskan heroes goes far and wide in this vast state. One particular legend is a woman named Mollie Boyer of Palmer, Alaska. Mollie is the RECYCLING GURU of Alaska.  For those who have had the privilege of meeting Mollie, she has an unforgettable smile and spirit that fills any room with her immense knowledge of all things recycling.

In 2019, Mollie retired after 22 years of devotion to the founding and growth of VCRS in Palmer.  She retired early due to cancer. Still, she contributes her knowledge of recycling while sh...

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Since the first episode of All Cooped Up Alaska on March 23, 2020, there have been numerous topics covered on this fun, uplifting and informative Podcast that aims to keep your spirits up during a pandemic.

Thanks to all of you listeners who have been tuning in to All Cooped Up Alaska, we have just about reached 1000 downloads. There will be more exciting episodes. In addition to being a Podcaster, check out my aerial photography and original artwork on the webpage, Katie Writer Gallery, listed below.

https://www.katiewritergallery.com
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This episode is about observations of climate change in Alaska, which is known for its' challenging weather for pilots and remote airports.  The FAA webcam program that was once a graduate student's dissertation has become a cornerstone to  increasing safety and efficiency for pilots in Alaska and Canada. The data used from airports also has become reliable information for the study of climate. Climatologists, pilots and aviation are working together to better understand how to efficiently forecast weather and understand trends of climate changes.

An edited version of this story has be...

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Living with out live music is not really living. Musical and talented, Jaimie Branch, Jason Ajemian, and Butchy Fuego decided enough was enough! This pandemic was making live music events almost impossible to hold safely...but there were solutions. A floatilla concert on Christiansen Lake of Talkeetna, Alaska where the band was on a floating stage made of float plane pontoons. The whole town showed up(almost) with their own boats where everyone could social distance and watch these world renowned musicians rock out. 

You like this music? You can hear m...

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Being a professional photographer has been a lifetime passion for Jim Livingston. He picked up a camera at age 14. While Jim has been honing his craft for four decades, he has filled the shoes of various careers, including serving others as a social worker and practicing law. Jim studied photography at Amarillo College.

Currently, Jim's passion for his art/photography business is not only his love and joy, his work continues to inspire others. Panhandle Magazine and Accent West are two magazines that recently featured Jim's work. Jim is well known...