Low slope roofs in Buffalo would mostly be commercial buildings I would assume. 1’ snow isn’t going to collapse your roof and climbing up there to clear it is much more dangerous. I get anxiety seeing people standing on their 2nd story deck with 4’ of snow on it. Decks actually collapse and in most areas are extremely under built.
Yeah I rake it from the ground with a thing that cuts blocks in the snow and then it slides down a plastic tarp. Not so dangerous but it’s a pretty good workout. I’ve got a low slope roof with vaulted ceilings and super old shitty insulation so ice dams can get real bad, I’m trying to keep the roof fairly clean and not so much worried about it collapsing.