A somewhat hotter lean in the overnight forecasts helped natural gas futures bulls regain some ground in early trading Tuesday. The September Nymex contract was up 3.4 cents to $2.187/MMBtu at around 8:45 a.m. ET.

AM markets

There were no major shifts in the weather outlook overnight, according to NatGasWeather, though the forecaster noted a small uptick in projected cooling degree days from the European model.

“No changes overall as strong demand continues this week due to widespread highs of upper 80s to 100s besides the Midwest.” However, conditions are “set to ease late this weekend and next week as weather systems with showers and cooling sweep across the Midwest and east-central U.S. with highs of only 70s to lower 80s, including relatively deep into the South,” the...