09:27 AM EDT, 09/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Natural gas traded at the lowest in more than three weeks early Friday, falling for a third day after a larger than expected rise in the U.S. inventories of the fuel, even as warm forecasts offer some late season cooling demand.

Gas for October delivery was last seen down US$0.06 to $2.88 per million British thermal units, the lowest since Aug.27.

The drop comes after the Energy Information Administration Thursday reported U.S. inventories of gas stored for winter use rose by 90-billion cubic feet last week, more than the consensus estimate of around 80-bcf, according to NatGasWeather. The rise left inventories at 3.43-trillion cubic feet, 6.3% above the five-year average.

Long-term forecasts from the National Weather Service expect all states to see warmer than seasonal temperatures over its six to 10 day outlook, offering some late-season cooling demand ahead of the fuel's autumn shoulder season.