Warning of fast-accumulating snow, the lowest temperatures of the season so far and the potential for dangerous traveling conditions, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Monday for parts of Western and Central New York, allowing local governments to access additional state resources.

The declaration includes Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Oneida and contiguous counties, Hochul said in a statement released Monday evening. 

She said a lake-effect storm could drop a total of up to three feet of snow in the Watertown area through Wednesday; 1-2 feet off Lake Erie in South Buffalo and areas farther south; and slightly less in the Downtown Buffalo area. The heaviest snowfall rates are expected to reach 1-2 inches per hour combined with wind gusts of up to 30 mph.

The storm will be accompanied by dangerously cold temperatures that could sink across much of the state to as low as -25 with the wind chill. The coldest temperatures are expected in Western New York and the North Country.

Deep snow and blustery winds will make travel very difficult through Wednesday night.