Porch roof design on 2-story in snow country

[Charcoals]

I am thinking of putting a first-floor porch on the "long" side of the 2-story Universal Cottage, and plan to use metal seam roofing (for both the house and porch).  I worry, however, that snow/ice sliding off the roof could create problems when it hits the porch roof below (after a free fall of 8 feet or so).  This would be in Minnesota, so heavy accumulations must be designed for.  Thoughts?

[rwanders]

Have you considered adding a second story porch also----would solve your snow dump problem and give you some great additional space----you could even close it in for a great sun room addition to an upstairs bedroom.

[Don_P]

That sounds like a reasonable solution. I've seen pics of a deck torn off a house from the snow thumping on it. Also pics of crushed cars, roof vents on the ground, etc. Snow can be quite heavy when it lets go.

[rwanders]

Would also be good to build enough eave overhang to avoid snow buildup against the house. I spent 9 years in Valdez Alaska where we averaged 330" of snow a year-----I know what heavy snow buildup is like!