A lake-effect snow warning has been issued for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties starting early Thursday by the National Weather Service.

Eerily similar to last year, the forecast calls for heavy lake effect snow with total accumulations at 12 to 20 inches in the most persistent areas. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow.

The warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Saturday. Travel is expected to be very difficult with deep snow cover on roads and poor visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact holiday travel. Gusty winds will down tree branches and cause isolated power outages.

A major snowfall last year the day after Thanksgiving created numerous traffic hazards and closed Interstate 90 from Buffalo to the Pennsylvania line.