Irritating from Blinker lever

[lotic]

Have 99 ford explorer and when ever the wheather gets in the 30's and below the lever that controls the blinkers makes a squealing noise when i pull down or up on the lever to start the blinker. The noise will be in unison with the blinker. As long as the blinker is blinking the squealing noise will be there too.
Is there mositure in the steering column? Only on cold days does it do this. Very irritating, makes you not want to use my blinkers.