Better than expected refreeze on Stevens Peak.

Better than anticipated snow surface refreeze last night on Stevens Peak. Snow surface refreeze included below treeline areas under thick forest canopy, indicating that snow surface refreeze had not been fully reliant on radiational cooling. In open terrain at 8,000' the top 25 cm (10 in) had refrozen. By 10:50 am the top 5 cm (2 in) at this location was well into melt phase on sun exposed areas. Ascending further, melt rates were much slower above treeline on SE aspects at 9,000' due to convective cooling by light SW winds. By 12:20 pm, large skier triggered roller balls occurred easily at 8,000' on E aspect terrain.

Signs of past avalanche activity were visible in the area, but no signs of loose wet or slab avalanche activity in the previous 24 hours.