Forecasts promising toasty temperatures during the second week of June prompted double-digit gains for natural gas forwards prices at numerous Lower 48 hubs during the trading week ended June 2, according to NGI’s Forward Look.

A prominent increase in cooling demand expectations from forecasts over the Memorial Day weekend sent Nymex futures sharply higher in post-holiday trading. Henry Hub fixed prices for July accordingly climbed 11.7 cents between May 27 and June 2 to average $3.076/MMBtu, Forward Look data show.

Numerous other hubs, including in Midwest and East Coast markets, expected to see the mercury rise in the days ahead and charted a leg higher in rhythm with the national benchmark.

Fixed prices for the July contract at Chicago Citygate picked up 12.8 cents...