How the valley weather treats a North Canaan roof
North Canaan sits on the valley floor along the Housatonic, lower than the hill towns around it, so it trades some of Norfolk's snow depth for damp. Cold air pools in the valley on clear nights, which means frost and thaw work on flashing and sealant through much of the winter. Snow still builds enough for ice at the eaves on cold attics. Big maples and pines in the village drop leaves and needles into gutters and valleys, and shaded north slopes grow moss. On the open farmland toward East Canaan, wind has a clear run at the windward slope and strips tabs that were already loose.
