US natural gas futures increased as forecasts shifted to show hotter weather in the coming weeks, indicating higher demand for gas-fired power as consumers ramp up their air-conditioning use.

The largest Texas electric grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, forecasts that peak power demand every day from Friday to Tuesday will exceed the all-time record set in July.

This surge in expected consumption comes amid rising temperatures across the region, driving increased reliance on natural gas for electricity generation to meet cooling needs.

Natural gas prices have responded accordingly, reflecting market expectations for sustained high demand through the summer period.

The combination of extreme heat and record-breaking power usage forecasts underscores the critical role of natural gas in meeting peak electricity demand during summer months.