Hotter trends in the overnight guidance helped send natural gas futures sharply higher in early trading Tuesday. As of 8:50 a.m. ET, the August Nymex contract was up 6.9 cents to $3.848/MMBtu.

NGI Morning Natural Gas Price & Markets Coverage

The American and European weather models trended hotter overnight for next week, adding 2-3 cooling degree days to the outlook, according to NatGasWeather.

“National demand will increase late this weekend through next week as strong upper high pressure over the western and central U.S. expands eastward, with highs of upper 80s and 90s gaining ground,” the firm said. “Overall, the next five days remain seasonal/neutral,” but the pattern turns “bullish for the six- to 15-day period as upper high pressure gains territory over the eastern half of the U.S.

“The overnight weather...