Natural Gas Futures Rise on Hotter Weather Forecasts and Higher Demand

US natural gas futures have ticked up due to hotter weather forecasts in the coming weeks. This indicates increased demand for the power-plant fuel as consumers crank up their air-conditioning.

The near-term forecasts show that temperatures will be higher than previously expected, leading to a rise in cooling demand. Gas demand for liquefied natural gas exports has also reached its highest level since late June, thanks in part to the return of the Freeport LNG facility in Texas from maintenance work.