U.S. natural gas futures are modestly lower in early trading as soft LNG feedgas flows due to terminal maintenance partially offset demand to meet summer cooling needs. Nymex natural gas is off 0.9% at $2.878/mm Btu.

Demand remains strong in the coming days due to high pressure over much of the U.S. with highs of upper 80s to 100s, Nat Gas Weather.com says in a note. The forecaster adds that power-sector use has been underperforming this summer as renewables take a greater share of supply.

"Overall, weather patterns lean to the bullish side, although would be more impressive if it was a little hotter over the East in the 6-15 day period," the note states. The mixed fundamentals reflect ongoing tension between weather-driven cooling demand and structural shifts in power generation.