Drawing support from spring chills and a strengthening weather-driven demand outlook, regional natural gas forwards generally gained ground during the April 13-19 trading period, though a few western hubs moderated sharply week/week.

May fixed prices at Henry Hub climbed 12.9 cents to end the period at $2.225/MMBtu, mirroring gains in Nymex futures and setting the pace for increases of around a nickel to a dime at numerous Lower 48 hubs.

Updated forecasts from Maxar’s Weather Desk Thursday showed cooler trends for the eastern Lower 48 in both the six- to 10-day and 11- to 15-day windows.

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The forecaster called for below normal temperatures to...