Unusually

The recent emergence of Tropical Storm Debby in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), the unusually early start of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season and an increase in North Atlantic water temperatures prompted Weather Services International (WSI) to increase the number of tropical storms in its forecast for this year.

The emergence of Tropical Storm Debby in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) over the weekend, the unusually early start of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season and an increase in North Atlantic water temperatures have prompted Weather Services International (WSI) to increase the number of tropical storms in its forecast for this year.

The conditions that have been keeping a lid on natural gas prices — unusually warm winter weather and robust gas supplies — had both positive and negative impacts on Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP’s (BPP) business in 1Q2012, according to CEO Stan Horten.

With unusually cold temperatures finally forecast to recede from the state, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on Thursday said it had set a record for winter peak demand of 57,282 MW between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

The consensus forecast for the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season is pointing increasingly towards an unusually active season, with Andover, MA-based WSI Corp. now calling for 18 named storms, including 10 hurricanes, five of them intense (Category Three or greater). The hurricane season, which officially begins Tuesday (June 1), will be “hyperactive” with a magnified threat to the Northeast United States, the forecaster said.

The Northeast remains unusually mild for mid-July, but warming trends in the Midwest and Rockies/Pacific Northwest allowed prices to find enough cooling load in other areas to rise at all points Tuesday. In doing so, the cash market defied a further drop of 11 cents by August futures a day earlier. The Rockies had most of the top increases as a substantial number of locations recorded double-digit advances.

Although the Northeast remains unusually mild, the market found enough cooling load in high temperatures due to reach the 90s and 100s across most of the the southern U.S. and Midcontinent, backed up by moderate warming trends in the Midwest, Rockies and Pacific Northwest, to record gains at most points Thursday. A continuing futures loss a day earlier appeared to have little impact on Thursday’s cash prices.

With spring arriving, the 2008 Pacific Northwest snowmelt — and its impact on power and gas markets — is unusually late this year, according to Bentek Energy LLC. Cool and dry spring weather, combined with available water within the normal range will moderate the impact of seasonal runoff on regional gas and power prices, the consultant said.

With spring arriving, the 2008 Pacific Northwest snowmelt — and its impact on power and gas markets — is unusually late this year, according to Bentek Energy LLC. Cool and dry spring weather, combined with available water within the normal range will moderate the impact of seasonal runoff on regional gas and power prices, the consultant said.