Rock glaciers, ice worms and wolverines, oh my! In this episode of Come Rain or Shine, we interviewed Dr. Scott Hotaling, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences and the Extension Climate Resiliency Specialist at Utah State University (USU). Hotaling leads the USU Climate Change in Mountains Lab, where he explores how mountain ecosystems in the western U.S. and elsewhere are impacted by a shifting climate. Hotaling studies mountain water resources and biodiversity, with an emphasis on rock glaciers – large masses of debris-covered ice that flow downhill.

Dr. Hotaling discussed his diverse work, which includes mentoring students through unique climate adaptation intern and fellowship programs, and translating complex science for the public through creative communication tools. He runs the Mountain Futures YouTube Channel with his team at USU. The channel explores mountain research topics in the western United States and provides a behind-the-scenes perspective into day-to-day life as a mountain scientist.

Learn more about Dr. Hotaling and his research on the USU Climate Change in Mountains Lab website.

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USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

What are "May Gray" and "June Gloom"? How does the southwestern U.S. monsoon season impact low-level clouds on the California coastline? In this episode, we talked with Dr. Rachel Clemesha, a Project Scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California - San Diego, to help answer those questions. Dr. Clemesha's research focuses on the climate of coastal California and western North America. She examines climate extremes, marine layer clouds and fog, relationships between regional weather phenomena and large-scale climate variability, and explores the consequent impacts on public and ecosystem health.

Dr. Clemesha spoke with us about atmospheric rivers and how they influence wildfire risk, climate modeling for the North American monsoon, and her collaborative projects with a range of land managers and partners.

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If you’re enjoying this podcast, please consider rating us and/or leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, or Podchaser. Thanks!

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USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

In this episode, we spoke with Roy Petrakis, a Geographer with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Geographic Science Center. Roy’s expertise includes using remote sensing and GIS to understand how landscapes in the southwest are changing over time, including shifts in wildfire behavior, vegetation dynamics, and water availability. His research addresses wildfire and fuel treatments, climate variability, watershed management, and more.

He talked with us about the long-standing partnership between the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the USGS, where collaborative research supports land management decisions and riparian restoration efforts. From tracking invasive species like tamarisk to studying wildfire impacts and drought stress, Roy highlights how science and Indigenous knowledge come together to build more resilient ecosystems and support communities.

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If you’re enjoying this podcast, please consider rating us and/or leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, or Podchaser. Thanks!

Follow us on Twitter @RainShinePod

Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes (http://eepurl.com/hRuJ5H)

Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us!

USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/