The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published a new report on August 17, 2026, examining the current state of science regarding atmospheric icing within the context of climate change. Developed under the European Network on Impact of Climate Change on Aviation (EN-ICCA), the report evaluates how evolving climatic conditions might impact this critical aviation hazard.
According to the report, atmospheric icing from supercooled liquid droplets, ice crystals, and mixed-phase conditions can degrade aircraft performance, engine reliability, and flight safety. Although forecasting has improved, challenges persist in predicting icing severity and in-flight ice crystal conditions. Preliminary research indicates that climate change could affect the frequency, altitude, and severity of icing conditions, though definitive evidence on future trends is currently limited.
