Severe cold throughout the state is having an impact, starting with a Duluth area ski resort closing Sunday because of "extremely low temperatures and intense windchill factors."

Windchill readings ranging from 20 to 35 below zero "will continue today and tonight" for the Twin Cities area, and much of central and southeastern Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Coming Monday, the NWS adds, light snowfall is forecast generally along and south of the Interstate 94 corridor into the Twin Cities. "Moderate to heavy snow" is anticipated across far southern Minnesota, the Weather Service added.

Sunday's daytime high in the Twin Cities will hover just above or below the Big Goose Egg, according to the NWS. Wind speeds of up to 15 miles per hour will push the windchill factor below minus-30.

Tuesday should see a high a few degrees above zero in the metro, but the lows are forecast to remain negative territory through Friday. Also, windchills could plunge Tuesday and Wednesday night to a range between 30 and 40 below, the NWS said.

Spirit Mountain's operators pointed to "guest and employee safety" for their decision to close the slopes and its Adventure Park on Sunday "due to the incoming extremely low temperatures and intense windchill factors. As of 10 a.m. Sunday, the temperature was minus-8, with a windchill of minus-28, the Weather Service reported.

Paul Walsh — Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Riders on light rail in Minneapolis kept warm Sunday morning as they rolled by the Armory downtown.

For updates on operations later in the week, visit www.spiritmt.com.

Also shuttered amid the shivering Sunday in Duluth was the Bayfront Family Center, where various wintertime recreational activities are offered.

Temperatures were in the lower single digits just above or below zero throughout the Twin Cities area as 2 p.m. Sunday arrived, with windchills ranging from 16 to 22 below zero under sunny skies.

Elsewhere in the state, below zero readings were the norm everywhere except a few cities in southeastern Minnesota. Thief River Falls in northwestern Minnesota led the way at 2 p.m. with 17 below and minus-34 windchill. Flag Island, in north-central Minnesota, reported minus-15, with a windchill of 41 below.

At the balmier end of the spectrum, Winona and Madison east boasted a 5-degree positive reading by midafternoon Sunday.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482