U.S. Natural Gas Soars to 3-Year Peak Amid December's Bitter Cold Spell
By ZeroHedge
(https://oilprice.com/contributors/ZeroHedge-/) - Dec 02, 2025, 1:00 PM CST
U.S. natural gas futures have surged to their highest point in nearly three years, as forecasts indicate a frigid first half of December across the Lower 48 states. Several meteorologists are also warning of a potential polar-vortex-driven Arctic blast later this month, which could push temperatures even lower.
The unusual winter storm alerts across the Northeast on Tuesday morning are a stark reminder of the impending cold snap. Heavy snowfall (5-10 inches expected) in the Interior Northeast and disruptive ice (up to 0.2 inches of accretion) in the Central Appalachians will make commutes hazardous. The storm will clear out by Wednesday morning.
Natural gas futures are on track for their largest quarterly gain since the first quarter of 2022. Prices on Tuesday morning were trading near $5 per mmbtu, the highest level since December 2022. This surge is fueled by a rapid shift toward colder early-December temperatures across the Midwest and East, which has boosted heating demand expectations.
Weather models predict colder temperatures across the eastern two-thirds of the country from December 6 to 10, with further cooling expected from December 11 to 15. These forecasts reinforce the expectation of a near-term spike in residential and commercial heating loads.
Ryan Maue, a meteorologist, warned on X that the stratospheric polar vortex over the North Pole is set for another warming event in about two weeks. He emphasized the potential for extreme cold, stating, 'It's going to be a long, cold winter.'
Judah Cohen, another meteorologist, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the next polar vortex stretch will keep the cold coming to the Eastern U.S. until the holidays. The weather pattern is in a 'rinse, lather, repeat' cycle, with one good stretch leading to another.
The climate-crisis narrative has taken a hit with Greta Thunberg's sudden focus on Palestine and Bill Gates' acknowledgment that much of the narrative was overblown. As the Northeast grapples with an early-season chill, some are longing for a bit of 'global warming.'
Zerohedge.com
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