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Cold weather causes shelter to open early

Winterlike conditions last week that brought hail and snowflakes to some parts of the Las Vegas Valley prompted Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada to open its inclement weather shelter early.

The shelter is now open from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. daily and provides beds, clothing, blankets, showers and case management.

The nonprofit is offering an additional 180 beds to homeless men seeking refuge from freezing temperatures.

A grant recently awarded by the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalitions homelessness committee pays for the beds from Nov. 19 to March 2013.

Those beds are in addition to the year-round availability of 160 beds funded by Clark County at Catholic Charities.

The nonprofit is seeking more coats, clothing, underwear, toiletries and towels for clients in the coming colder months.

Larry Jensen, with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, said it was "definitely unseasonably cold" as temperatures last week were 15 to 20 degrees below normal.

Over the next week or so, temperatures are expected to return to normal with little chance of precipitation, he added.

Highs across the valley will reach upper 60s to low 70s, and low nightly temperatures will be in the 40s.

Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 383-0440.

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