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Natural Gas Prices Surge 20% Amid Weather and Geopolitical Risks

Published January 16, 2026, 16:14
Natural Gas Prices Surge 20% Amid Weather and Geopolitical Risks

Natural gas prices in Europe are poised for their largest weekly increase in two years, rising by over 20% due to changing weather patterns and geopolitical risks. This surge breaks the recent trend of low volatility in the market. Increased demand for heating, driven by unusually cold weather, combined with geopolitical concerns, is prompting traders to cover their short positions. Gas storage levels are below average, at under 52% compared to a five-year average of 67%. This raises concerns about supply adequacy during the summer, as Europe has lost some of its flexibility to absorb supply disruptions. The temperature drop, geopolitical risks, speculative flows, and unforeseen events, such as nuclear power plant outages in France, are all contributing to the upward price pressure. Analysts emphasize that the gas market remains highly sensitive to sudden changes and disruptions. Despite the rise in natural gas prices, wholesale electricity prices have not yet followed suit.