<P> When the cold winds of winter pass over the warmer water of the lake , they pick up moisture and drop it as lake - effect snow . Since the prevailing winter winds are from the northwest , the southern and southeastern shoreline of the lake is referred to as the snowbelt . In some winters the area between Oswego and Pulaski may receive twenty or more feet ( 600 cm ) of snowfall . Also impacted by lake - effect snow is the Tug Hill Plateau , an area of elevated land that is about 20 miles ( 32 km ) east of Lake Ontario , creating ideal conditions for lake - effect snowfall . The `` Hill '' , as it is often referred to , typically receives more snow than any other region in the eastern United States . As a result , Tug Hill is a popular location for winter enthusiasts , such as snow - mobilers and cross-country skiers . Lake - effect snow often extends inland as far as Syracuse , with that city often recording the most winter snowfall accumulation of any large city in the United States . Other cities in the world receive more snow annually , such as Quebec City , which averages 135 inches ( 340 cm ) , and Sapporo , Japan , which receives 250 inches ( 640 cm ) each year and is often regarded as the snowiest city in the world . Foggy conditions ( particularly in fall ) can be created by thermal contrasts and can be an impediment for recreational boaters . In a normal winter , Lake Ontario will be at most one quarter ice - covered , in a mild winter almost completely unfrozen . Lake Ontario has completely frozen over on five recorded occasions : from about January 20 to about March 20 , 1830 ; in 1874 ; in 1893 ; in 1912 ; and in February 1934 . </P>
<P> When the cold winds of winter pass over the warmer water of the lake , they pick up moisture and drop it as lake - effect snow . Since the prevailing winter winds are from the northwest , the southern and southeastern shoreline of the lake is referred to as the snowbelt . In some winters the area between Oswego and Pulaski may receive twenty or more feet ( 600 cm ) of snowfall . Also impacted by lake - effect snow is the Tug Hill Plateau , an area of elevated land that is about 20 miles ( 32 km ) east of Lake Ontario , creating ideal conditions for lake - effect snowfall . The `` Hill '' , as it is often referred to , typically receives more snow than any other region in the eastern United States . As a result , Tug Hill is a popular location for winter enthusiasts , such as snow - mobilers and cross-country skiers . Lake - effect snow often extends inland as far as Syracuse , with that city often recording the most winter snowfall accumulation of any large city in the United States . Other cities in the world receive more snow annually , such as Quebec City , which averages 135 inches ( 340 cm ) , and Sapporo , Japan , which receives 250 inches ( 640 cm ) each year and is often regarded as the snowiest city in the world . Foggy conditions ( particularly in fall ) can be created by thermal contrasts and can be an impediment for recreational boaters . In a normal winter , Lake Ontario will be at most one quarter ice - covered , in a mild winter almost completely unfrozen . Lake Ontario has completely frozen over on five recorded occasions : from about January 20 to about March 20 , 1830 ; in 1874 ; in 1893 ; in 1912 ; and in February 1934 . </P>
when was the last time lake ontario frozen over
when was the last time lake ontario frozen over
February 1934
February 1934