The Impact of Extreme Weather on the National Airspace System

Congress passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018 on 5 October 2018. The Act contained a section that required the FAA and National Weather Service to perform a joint study on the impact of extreme weather on air travel. Specifically, Section 732 of the Act states:

“Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall jointly complete a study on the effect of extreme weather on commercial air travel. The study required shall include assessment of the following:

(1) Whether extreme weather may result in an increase in turbulence.

(2) The effect of extreme weather on current commercial air routes.

(3) The effect of extreme weather on domestic airports, air traffic control facilities, and associated facilities.”

The FAA’s Office of NextGen Aviation Weather Division was responsible for generating the report. A summer intern was tasked to conduct a literature review of extreme weather impacts on air travel and draft an initial report. This poster will highlight some of the findings and conclusions from that report.