Natural gas forward prices posted modest increases across the majority of U.S. markets for the trading week ending March 24, buoyed largely by record export demand, according to NGI’s Forward Look.

With the spring shoulder season underway, gas bulls have struggled to gain momentum in recent weeks. Aside from stormy weather patterns that could drive a temporary bump in demand, the next few weeks are expected to result in light consumption. 

NatGasWeather said the latest weather models were colder trending for the middle of the coming week. However, the data overall remained bearish because of lighter-than-normal demand expected through the weekend and again April 3-10.

“It’s this warm 11- to 15-day forecast period that continues to stand out as being exceptionally...