Strong winds and dry weather are fueling rapidly spreading wildfires across Russia’s Zabaikalsky region, with over 456,000 hectares burning and firefighters racing to protect populated areas.

Three firefighters who went missing battling wildfires in the Zabaikalsky region of Russia’s Far East were found dead, prompting a criminal investigation amid a large-scale state of emergency.

From Unalakleet to Nome, enchanting, pint-sized boreal owls have been popping up in unexpected places.

Forest fires have swept across Russia’s Siberian and Far East regions, signaling a harsh 2025 wildfire season with over 52 active blazes, widespread damage, and critical resource shortages.

Record-breaking sightings of the exotic Eurasian hoopoe in southern Ireland have Irish birdwatchers buzzing, while native robins appear unsettled by their unexpected arrival.

A historic late‐spring blizzard on May 2 blanketed Moscow with up to 15 cm of snow—the first May 2 snow cover in 75 years—toppling trees onto cars and cutting power for over 26,000 residents. The record snowfall came a day after Moscow was hit by record rainfall and an unusually mild winter. The capital city and its outer suburbs saw 71% of the precipitation usually recorded in May in just 36 hours.

A powerful snowstorm battered Russia’s Far East Kamchatka Peninsula, grounding flights, stranding motorists, and triggering avalanche warnings in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

A late-season blizzard dumped up to 30 cm of snow in northeastern Finland, snarling roads around Kuusamo and Salla and causing train delays between Parikkala and Joensuu due to a damaged electric rail track.