When we work with clients in trying to figure out why they are getting ice dams, a photo like this can save a lot of time. You can see how heat is behaving as it escapes this home.

Tiny soffit with no ventilation.

The lines in the snow melt correspond with the rafters in the roof system. Cool. I mean, from a geeky builder perspective.

Installing a skylight this low on a roof is risky business. You'd better flash the hell out of it or big water damage is in your future.

Not a surprise it's above a skylight. Skylights are frequently associated with ice dams because they are seldom insulated properly. Our advice; use sprayed urethane at R-7 per inch–it can't be beat.