It will be a rude awakening for Albertans heading back to work today.

It's not only the first day back to reality after the Christmas break but with deep-freeze temperatures expected to linger, it's an especially hard pill to swallow.

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the following areas:

  • Rocky View Co. near Cochrane
  • Mountain View Co. near Carstairs and Stirlingville
  • Mountain View Co. near Cremona and Water Valley
  • Mountain View Co. near Olds and Didsbury
  • Mountain View Co. near Sundre
  • Rocky View Co. near Airdrie and Crossfield
  • Rocky View Co. near Bottrel and Madden

Weather experts say that extremely cold wind chill values near minus 40 will continue until later in the week.

Residents are reminded to cover up as frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.

Residents are also urged to remain on the lookout for shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.