Record late-October snowfall in Reykjavík snapped many trees in Fossvogskirkjugarður cemetery, with birch hit hardest. Cleanup is underway and may take weeks; damage also occurred in Gufunes and Hólavallagarður cemeteries.

Despite late-October rain, extreme drought has expanded across southern and coastal Maine, now covering nearly 43% of the state, including Portland. The National Weather Service says another foot of precipitation is needed before soils freeze to substantially ease conditions.

North Yarmouth, Maine removed about 80 ash trees from Baston Park after an emerald ash borer infestation was detected. The wood will be processed by the Cumberland Wood Bank for local heating under state-advised precautions.

The rare clubmoss known in Swedish as “mellanlummer” has been recorded for the first time in Västernorrland, in forests near Viksjö. Botanists link the find to SCA’s prescribed burns that open and rejuvenate the forest.

Unusual flower mortality on vegetable crops may suggests a potential decline in pollinator populations, as indicated by fewer insect collisions with car windshields.