U.S. Natural Gas Prices Hit One-Month High as Heat Wave Drags On

U.S. natural gas futures closed at their highest level in a month on Wednesday, driven by unrelenting hot weather that is expected to stretch into early September. The heat has kept air conditioning demand strong, pushing power plants to burn more gas for electricity. That sustained consumption lifted prices despite typical seasonal cooling in late August. Analysts note that the extended warm spell is delaying the usual drop-off in summer demand, keeping the market tighter than expected. No major supply disruptions were reported, with the price move tied almost entirely to weather-driven consumption.