rafter snapper

Originates from the state of Maine, in which the wooden planks and beams of a residential dwelling produce "snapping" sounds during very cold nights.

• "When the rafter-snapper roared through here in March, there wasn't so much as a wet basement."
• "When I was a kid the old timers called long, sub-zero nights "rafter snappers," a phrase I never understood until I moved inland to a little cabin surrounded by acres of tall trees."
• ""'S what the old-timers call a real 'rafter snapper'", Frank said. He was sitting in his wheelchair by the kitchen table, making conversation with Bri while she worked. "Jus' listen to that wind.""
• "Last night was a 'rafter snapper', as my grandparents would say. And yes, the rafters were snapping in the cold."

• three-dog night