Natural gas futures climbed in early trading Friday as updated March forecasts shifted colder, while analysts pointed to supportive trends in the power stack on price-induced fuel switching. 

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The April Nymex contract was up 7.1 cents to $2.836/MMBtu at around 8:50 a.m. ET.

The latest six- to 10-day forecast from Maxar’s Weather Desk Friday featured colder changes to the temperature outlook for the southern Lower 48.

“The six- to 10-day period features a high latitude ridge, which forces the jet stream southward, with colder air expanding in coverage,” Maxar said. “Below normal temperatures are from the West to Central early in the period, while aboves are limited to the South.

“The South and elsewhere in the Eastern Half take on below normal readings during the...