%{{tag.tag}} {{articledata.title}} {{moment(articledata.cdate)}} @{{articledata.company.replace(" ","")}} comment U.S. natural gas prices have jumped above $6 U.S. for the first time since 2022 as a massive winter storm sweeps across America. Natural gas prices are up 18% to $6.21 U.S. per million British thermal units, a new 52-week high, as the winter storm leaves hundreds of thousands of people without power. Natural gas prices are now up about 70% this year and at their highest level since December 2022, when European demand soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Leading natural gas stocks include Chevron (NYSE: $CVX ), Kinder Morgan (NYSE: $KMI ), and Cheniere Energy (LNG), among others. "Winter Storm Fern" was forecast to bring heavy snow and ice accumulations from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England over the weekend, impacting 180 million people in 37 states. Wind chills as low as -45 degrees Celsius will persist across the eastern U.S. this week, with temperatures far below normal, leading to a big spike in natural gas demand. The U.S. Department of Energy has issued two emergency orders to mitigate blackouts in New England and Texas, seeking to keep grids stable and minimize the risk of power failures. The extreme cold, which is also impacting parts of Canada, is expected to keep natural gas prices elevated for several days and possibly weeks, say energy analysts.