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Does snow on a roof weigh more as it melts?

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The weight on the roof is the exact same - there is no change in mass. Remember from high school that weight = mass * gravity-acceleration. read more

The difference here is that the water weighs 0.1% more than the snow it forms from. Water flows more readily, and melting snow will produce a run-off of water. This can be a significant feature. read more

(1) Their opinion: As the snow melts, it gets heavier which would add weight to the roof, and the roof could collapse. (2) My opinion: They are incorrect. As the snow melts, the density of the snow increases but the volume of snow decreases. The total weight of snow on the roof remains the same. read more

When that layer of snow melts beneath the top, the melting snow drips down the slanted roof and off the house, back into the cold air, causing icicles to form. This melting and refreezing snow can cause ice to get into the shingles of your house, which can cause water damage and leaky roofs when the ice melts. read more

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