Can Hurricanes Reach Lake Ontario? No—Here's Why

No. Hurricanes cannot form over, sustain themselves over, or "come into" Lake Ontario.

The Thermodynamic Barrier

• Fuel: Hurricanes require sea surface temperatures (SST) ≥ 26.5°C (80°F) to a depth of ~50m to sustain deep convection.
• Lake Ontario Reality: Summer surface temps peak ~20–22°C (68–72°F). Winter: near 4°C (39°F). Annual average: ~8°C (46°F).
• Heat Content: The lake's total heat reservoir is orders of magnitude too small to fuel a tropical cyclone.

What *Does* Happen

• Remnant Lows: Ex-hurricanes (post-tropical cyclones) can track over the Great Lakes (e.g., Hurricane Hazel 1954, Ike 2008 remnants). They bring heavy rain, gusty winds—but are no longer tropical. Cold-core, baroclinic systems.
• Lake-Effect Amplification: Remnant moisture + warm lake = enhanced snow/rain bands.
• Seiches: Pressure jumps from passing storms can trigger standing waves (seiches) on the lake.

So while the Great Lakes feel hurricane-force winds from extratropical storms (November gales), a true tropical hurricane cannot exist there. The water is simply too cold.