Weekly natural gas cash prices forged ahead as heat radiated across much of the Lower 48, keeping air conditioners humming.

EIA storage july 9

NGI’s Weekly Spot Gas National Avg. for the July 12-16 period advanced 10.5 cents to $3.615.

Demand was fueled during the week by hot upper high pressure that held over the East most of the week with highs of mid-80s to 90s. It was also hot over the West, Texas and the Plains, with highs ranging from the 90s to 110s, NatGasWeather said.

A weather system lingered over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley with showers and highs of 70s to 80s, for locally lighter demand, but it was not enough to curb national momentum.

As the trading week closed, hubs across almost every region were in the green. SoCal Citygate led the way, surging $1.170 to $6.745. In the...