Wild hoofed animals are in peril in the Far East of Russia due to exceptionally heavy snow falls which are covered by an ice crust.
Here are some seasonal pictures as western Siberia gets its debut whiteout of the autumn.
At least three are dangerously close to population centres in Irkutsk region.
Some regions parched, others underwater in latest meteorological surprises.
Tornado - first since 1954 - signals freak downpour, opening craters in roads which swallow up cars.
Temperatures of up to 35C force exodus to river and lake beaches.
Divers brave minus 45C to place a 'New Year Tree' beneath the ice on bed of the mighty Lena River.
Driver records footage of strange funnel on dash cam.
Winter comes to summer including freak hailstorms, mega-flooding but also wild fires.