Cold damage

Cold damage, in terms of the Baldur's Gate series, is an elemental or magical type of damage that circumvents any physical resistances.

Gameplay

 * Elemental and magical cold damage are handled separately, and not all spells and items cover both.
 * Resistances greater than 100% will heal the affected creatures, rather than harming them.

Protection from cold
Through the use of certain spells, items or abilities, it is possible to reduce the amount of damage, afflicted by cold.

Spells
Spells usually offer only temporary protection from cold, in varying degrees. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Items
Items, as long as equipped, offer a constant protection from cold. By wearing more than one of these, 100% resistance or even more is quite possible. Consumable items only give temporary protection. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Abilities
There are a few abilities that can offer temporary or constant protection from cold. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Damage from cold
Many spells are based on cold, as well as some abilities, and items may deal bonus or even pure cold damage.

Spells
Due to their purpose of healing and supporting, the arsenal of cold-based spells is much smaller for priests than for wizards. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Items
Regular weapons with cold damage, besides ammunition for bows, weren't introduced until Baldur's Gate II. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Abilities
… … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Creatures, protected from cold
Some creatures have a natural resistance against cold damage, some have special items equipped that protect them. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical

Creatures, dealing cold damage
There's is a number of creatures that always or by will are able to deal cold damage, either naturally, via spells or through special items in their equipment. … incomplete!
 * Elemental
 * Magical
 * Elemental and magical