Expectations for a return to more seasonal temperatures across key regions of the Lower 48 later this month helped support modest gains for natural gas futures in early trading Tuesday. The April Nymex contract was up 3.9 cents to $2.816/MMBtu at around 8:45 a.m. ET.

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The latest temperature projections for the March 12-16 time frame trended colder for the eastern two thirds of the Lower 48, Maxar’s Weather Desk said in its updated forecast early Tuesday. 

This change is “echoed among the various models over the past 24 hours. Still, above normal temperatures favor the region, while below normal coverage is limited to the West.”

In the six- to 10-day window, from Sunday through March 11, Maxar said its latest forecast shifted warmer for the Midwest, South and East, with...