Spot natural gas prices were mixed for the April 25-28 trading period as late-season cold in parts of the country combined with air conditioning demand in the South. NGI’s Weekly Spot Gas National Avg. ultimately slipped 6.0 cents to $6.725/MMBtu.

EIA natural gas storage

Nymex futures, meanwhile, moved sharply higher as blizzard conditions that slammed the Rockies knocked off production at a time when the gas market was looking for more supply.

Pipeline maintenance also curbed output, sending the May contract rolling off the board at $7.267. June futures, meanwhile, hit an intraweek high of $7.422 before closing out Friday’s session at $7.244.

Despite the calendar nearing May, harsh wintry weather shocked traders returning to their desks after the weekend. Pipelines in the region had warned of...