We performed uniaxial compression experiments on synthetic ice samples. We report ice microstructural evolution at –20 and –30 °C that has never been reported before. Microstructural data show the opening angle of c-axis cones decreases with increasing strain or with decreasing temperature, suggesting a more active grain rotation. CPO intensity weakens with temperature because CPO of small grains is weaker, and it can be explained by grain boundary sliding or nucleation with random orientations.