Like an unwelcome guest, freezing cold conditions have returned to our area.

The Windsor-Essex Health Unit and the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit have issued cold alerts.

Environment Canada is forecasting the temperature to dip to -15 Celsius overnight.

Health officials remind people prolong exposure can cause health problems.

The most common are hypothermia and frostbite.

Warning signs include - shivering - exhaustion - confusion - memory loss and numbness.

They suggest preparing for the extreme cold with survival kits for the car and home.