09:24 AM EDT, 06/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Natural gas edged higher early on Friday, supported by hot long-term forecasts that offer increased cooling demand.

Gas for July delivery was last seen up US$0.03 to US$3.71 per million British thermal units.

The rise comes as long-term forecasts from the National Weather Service see nearly all states with seasonal or hotter weather over the next six to 14 days.

The Energy Information Administration on Thursday issued its weekly report on inventories of the fuel stored for winter use. The agency said stocks last week rose by 122-billion cubic feet, above NatGasWeather's forecast for a rise of 109-bcf. The injection boosted inventories to 2.6-trillion cubic feet, 4.7% above the five-year average.