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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

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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.com

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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 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, access to clean water were destroyed by the historic weather event.

Climatologist, Rick Thoman discusses the weather pattern that lead up to the Typhoon Halong, as well 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

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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.

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 a text

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 improve climate services in Alaska and for outstanding outreach efforts working with the Alaska Native community. We are happy that he has not yet retired, as his wealth of information is an invaluable resource for communities all around Alaska. Thank you, Rick!

Rick Thoman has a very informative newsletter on Substack called: Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter. You can see illustrations, graphs and be informed of all things Alaska weather.

Talkeetna River at Alaska Railroad Bridge NOAA link:

https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/TKTA2

Thank you for tuning into the Alaska Climate & Aviation Podcast!

Also, I'm happy to announce my scenic flight seeing business, Visionary Adventures, LLC. "Cub Rides with Katie" offers scenic flights in a Piper Super Cub Airplane here in South Central Alaska. Message me if you wish to book a flight.

Katie Writer

ktphotowork@gmail.com

907/873-7669

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

Send a text

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, "Strategic Ground: Greenland in the Center of Arctic Geoploitics".

The panelists included on this episode are as follows:

Libby Casey, Senior News Anchor of The Washington Post.

Ms. Aki-Matilda Hough-Dam, Member of the Parliament of Greenland, Member of the Danish Parliament, Chair of the Arctic Delegation.

Mr. Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council of Norway.

Mr Kuno Fencker, Member of the Parliament of Greenland.

Mr. Thomas Dans, Former Commissioner, US Arctic Research Commission.

The episode includes discussions of the sovereignty of Greenland, why it is not for sale as well as the desire for self determination of Greenland.

Thank you for tuning into 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