Natural gas forward prices surged from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2 as hints of colder weather finally emerged in long-range forecasts, NGI’s Forward Look data showed. 

December prices rose an average 41.0 cents through the trading period, while frigid air and early-season snow in the Pacific Northwest and Rockies fueled even more substantial increases in those regions.

Plump natural gas price hikes were seen through the balance of winter (December-March), which added 25 cents on average, according to Forward Look. Smaller price increases were seen further out the curve.

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The hefty price gains for the winter occurred in spite of stout production, rising...