U.S. natural gas is trading with a familiar winter tug-of-war: colder-season risk vs. suddenly warmer model runs—and, today, the warm side is winning.
As of about 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 15, 2025, NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas futures (January 2026) were near $4.02 per MMBtu, down roughly 2% on the day after an early selloff extended into the afternoon. [1]
That price level matters because it sits right at the psychological “$4 handle” that often becomes a battleground during winter—especially after the market just went through an early-December spike above $5 before reversing sharply.
Natural gas price now: futures, day range, and what the curve is signaling
The latest session has been defined by a steady fade:
- January 2026 (front month): ~$4.02/MMBtu, -2% on the day, with a day’s range roughly $4.00 to $4.22. [2]
- February 2026: ~$3.76/MMBtu (mid-$3s). [3]
- March 2026: ~$3.34/MMBtu (low-$3s). [4]
In plain terms, the forward curve is projecting that winter tightness may be front-loaded—and that pricing pressure could ease as the market moves toward late winter and early spring, assuming production stays strong and weather normalizes. [5]
Why natural gas is down today: warmer late-December forecasts meet near-record supply
Multiple same-day market updates converged on the same theme: the near-term demand outlook cooled faster than the weather.
Reuters reported Monday that U.S. natural gas futures were holding near a six-week low on milder weather forecasts for the next two weeks, near-record Lower 48 output, ample storage, and weaker global gas prices. In the morning, Reuters pegged the front-month contract around $4.095/MMBtu, already pointing to the market’s soft tone. [6]
Key fundamental drivers highlighted in that report:
- Production remains extremely high: Lower 48 output averaged about 109.7 Bcf/d so far in December, just above November’s record pace, even with daily flows easing off late-November peaks. [7]
- Forecasts lean warm through month-end: Meteorologists cited in the Reuters report expected temperatures to stay mostly warmer than normal through December 30, limiting heating demand. [8]
- Demand is expected to fall week-over-week: LSEG projected total Lower 48 demand (including exports) could slip from about 145.2 Bcf/d this week to about 131.6 Bcf/d next week. [9]
A related data table in the same Reuters package also indicated below-normal heating degree days versus historical norms in the two-week window—another statistical way of saying the market sees less heating-driven demand than typical for mid-December. [10]
Storage and the next big catalyst: the upcoming EIA storage print
Storage is acting like a shock absorber right now—helping prevent a panic move higher when cold shows up, and cushioning the downside when forecasts flip warmer.
Reuters data tables show U.S. working gas in storage around 3,593 Bcf, roughly 1.3% above the five-year average. [11]
The next pivotal datapoint is the next EIA storage report (for the week ended Dec. 12). Market expectations referenced in the Reuters tables point to a withdrawal around 153 Bcf—still a sizable draw, but the futures market is weighing that against strong supply and a milder late-December outlook. [12]
LNG exports are still strong—but global gas prices are not helping the bulls
One reason natural gas didn’t simply collapse earlier this winter was the relentless pull from LNG exports. That remains a major support pillar—but it’s not a one-way ticket higher, especially when overseas benchmarks are soft.
Reuters reported that feedgas deliveries to the eight large U.S. LNG export plants averaged about 18.6 Bcf/d so far in December, above November’s record pace. [13]
However, the same Reuters reporting also noted that international benchmark prices have been hovering near multi-month lows—around $9/MMBtu at Europe’s TTF and roughly $11/MMBtu in Asia (JKM)—a backdrop that can cap the upside enthusiasm for U.S. gas, even when export volumes are high. [14]
There’s also a geopolitical overlay: Reuters pointed to market hopes that Ukraine-related peace talks could ultimately affect sanctions and future Russian supply, which, even as a “maybe,” tends to cool longer-dated risk premiums in global gas pricing. [15]
Europe’s gas market today: TTF steadies as wind slows, but fundamentals stay “comfortable”
European prices were not signaling a major crisis on Dec. 15—more like a cautious winter grind higher that’s being actively resisted by supply.
Reuters reported that the Dutch TTF front-month traded around €27.46/MWh (about $9.45/MMBtu) in a narrow range Monday morning after two sessions of gains. Cooler temperatures boosted heating demand, and lower wind speedsincreased gas-fired power needs, but steady LNG and Norwegian supply limited the rally. [16]
A key datapoint for sentiment: EU storage was reported around 69.61% full, below last year’s level at the same time, but still not low enough to force a broad panic bid in prices. [17]
U.S. regulatory friction: EU methane rules and what they could mean for LNG trade flows
A major December 15 policy headline for gas markets came out of Brussels.
Reuters reported that the U.S. has asked the EU to exempt U.S. oil and gas from obligations under the bloc’s methane emissions regulation until 2035, framing the regulation as a trade barrier and seeking a long delay in emissions-data reporting requirements. The EU’s rule requires importers to monitor and report methane associated with imported fuels. [18]
For market participants, this is less about today’s tick-by-tick move and more about longer-term cost, compliance, and documentation requirements that can influence contracting, certification, and the competitiveness of LNG cargoes into Europe over time.
Market structure is evolving too: ICE flags record TTF trading and longer hours
Another December 15 development underscores how “global” natural gas has become.
Reuters reported that Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) posted record 2025 volumes for benchmark European gas contracts—103 million contracts across TTF futures/options—and said it plans to extend trading hours (from a 10-hour European window toward longer cycles that resemble U.S. and Asian markets). [19]
For traders, longer hours can mean faster price discovery when weather, outages, or LNG headlines hit outside the traditional European trading day—something that increasingly matters in an LNG-linked world.
Forecasts and outlook: what analysts are watching after the $5-to-$4 whiplash
Today’s action is part of a broader theme: extreme sensitivity to weather model runs—and the market’s growing reliance on incremental demand from LNG and power.
1) Household heating costs are moving up in official forecasts
In a December 15 “Today in Energy” note, the U.S. EIA said it has raised residential winter heating expenditure forecasts versus mid-October expectations because it now expects a colder winter and higher retail price forecasts, especially for natural gas and propane. The agency also cited NOAA expectations that December will be about 8% colder than the average of the previous 10 Decembers. [20]
EIA also noted that the Henry Hub spot price was near $3/MMBtu in October and rose to more than $4/MMBtu by late November, which helps explain why consumer-facing forecasts shifted upward even before winter fully arrived. [21]
2) Technical levels traders are focusing on this week
A December 15 technical note carried by Interactive Brokers/Investopedia described the prompt-month January contract as having turned bearish after last week’s sharp drop, highlighting potential downside levels around the high-$3s and resistance in the mid-$4s. [22]
Whether you follow technicals or not, the takeaway is consistent with the fundamentals: weather and storage surprises are the catalysts most likely to force a break away from the $4 area.
What to watch next for natural gas prices this week
If you’re tracking natural gas price action into mid-December, these are the catalysts most likely to move the market quickly:
- Weather model updates (especially any shift back toward sustained cold after Dec. 20). [23]
- The next EIA storage report and whether the withdrawal aligns with expectations around ~153 Bcf for the week ended Dec. 12. [24]
- LNG feedgas volumes—whether flows stay near the 18+ Bcf/d pace reported so far this month. [25]
- Europe’s TTF direction and storage trajectory as wind output and temperatures shift week to week. [26]
- Policy headlines around methane reporting rules and compliance timelines that could influence future LNG trade friction. [27]
Bottom line
Natural gas prices today are being pinned near $4.02/MMBtu by a warm-forecast narrative and relentless U.S. supply—despite very strong LNG export pull. The market’s next decisive move likely depends on whether late-December weather turns materially colder again, and whether storage withdrawals begin to outpace expectations. [28]
References
1. www.investing.com, 2. www.investing.com, 3. www.investing.com, 4. www.investing.com, 5. www.investing.com, 6. www.tradingview.com, 7. www.tradingview.com, 8. www.tradingview.com, 9. www.tradingview.com, 10. www.tradingview.com, 11. www.tradingview.com, 12. www.tradingview.com, 13. www.tradingview.com, 14. www.tradingview.com, 15. www.tradingview.com, 16. www.tradingview.com, 17. www.tradingview.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.eia.gov, 21. www.eia.gov, 22. www.interactivebrokers.com, 23. www.tradingview.com, 24. www.tradingview.com, 25. www.tradingview.com, 26. www.tradingview.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.tradingview.com
