December natural gas futures settled 17.3 cents higher at $4.046/MMBtu Monday as weather forecasts shifted to a colder-than-normal outlook through mid-November for key eastern US consuming regions. The last time the prompt month settled any higher was September 30, when it closed at $4.121/MMBtu. The December contract has risen 25.8 cents in value since it took the prompt position October 30. “Big up day today as winter is finally here,” said Aaron Calder, senior market analyst at Gelber & Associates. He added that forecasts are now indicating what looks like a “polar vortex redux.” Not only did the Midwest and East Coast see cold weather over the weekend, but models such as the US National Weather Service’s eight- to 14-day forecast changed over the weekend to reflect the likelihood of below-average temperatures over the eastern half of the country, with the coldest […]