Fields, wind and long winters
The town is surrounded by farmland, and the landscape is wide open. Wind comes across the fields with nothing in its way, and hail from summer storms tends to land hard on exposed roofs. Dust, straw and seed from nearby fields can collect in valleys and gutters.
In winter, drifting snow builds against walls and low roofs. Sheds and garages with shallow roofs can hold a heavy cap of snow, and some metal roofs release it all at once. Meltwater then refreezes at eaves and gutters. Clearing falling snow from walkways and checking the structure after a heavy fall helps prevent injuries and damage.






