Thawcaster aids road agencies in the consistent assessment of roads during the more critical times of the year when some roads become quite fragile by providing agencies with a single tool to access weather data combined with thaw-weakening calculations and analyses. Thawcaster computes the thaw index for thaw periods using the reference temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit for the FHWA model and a floating reference temperature from February 1st to May 31st for the Minnesota Method Thaw Index calculations.
The Center for Technology & Training (CTT) develops and maintains Thawcaster based on research, experience, and the input of several Michigan road agencies.