U.S. natural gas futures climbed as hot weather forecasts boosted cooling demand and LNG feedgas flows picked up. "The 1-15 day weather forecast may vie for the hottest on record," Eli Rubin of EBW Analytics said in a note. The Nymex September contract rose 2.4% to $2.837/mm Btu as traders weighed near-term options and contract expirations through tomorrow.

Rubin noted that as October moves to the front of the curve, the medium-term outlook points to a moderate rally driven by searing heat, soft production, and returning LNG export demand. The combination of elevated cooling needs and tighter supply fundamentals supported the upward move in futures prices today.

Market participants are watching weather patterns closely, with several more weeks of hot conditions expected to sustain demand for natural gas used in electricity generation for air conditioning.