When we had 3 acres in Ohio, we tried this the first year. It just killed the grass in patches under the snow. 

I had patches of dead lawn under small clumps of cut grass too.   It is the result of your mower blades not being sharp.  Once I got more proactive about keeping the blades sharp, the problem went away immediately.

That could quite possibly have been the problem. We did have the mower that was left with the house tuned up in later years, and I assume blade sharpening was part of the annual package. But after the first year, we never left leaves down in winter - so I have no control to compare it against, really.

Thu Jan 14 2021 14:35:34 EST from IGnatius T Foobar

When we had 3 acres in Ohio, we tried this the first year. It just killed the grass in patches under the snow. 

I had patches of dead lawn under small clumps of cut grass too.   It is the result of your mower blades not being sharp.  Once I got more proactive about keeping the blades sharp, the problem went away immediately.

As mentioned, now I have a postage sized lot and Mexicans with lawn mowers come and cut it. It dies in the summer when it gets too hot, and in the winter when it gets too cold, and you have to reseed with seasonal grass once a year. It is always something. If I'm not battling 3 acres of grass and vegetation in Ohio... I'm trying to grow grass in the desert in Arizona.

Sacramento was perfect, as far as climate - it is too bad it is in California, and full of Californians.

Thu Jan 14 2021 17:49:07 EST from ParanoidDelusions

That could quite possibly have been the problem.