1. The EU ended their summer, 28,2.23 with their gas storage levels at c. 50%; & last week, their gas storage levels were c.72%- these were the highest % storage levels for many decades. This is because of their huge gas, & coal, buying frenzy in 2022 (inc. buying cheap Russian fossil fuels, until the full bans set in). The EU were all proclaiming "Energy Security" & thought there might be major power blackouts outs in the EU in their 2022/23 winter.

Europe was "saved" by an unusually warm autumn in Europe in 2022: &, more crucially, as well as the 2nd highest average temperatures, on record, for their 2022/23 winter (Now however, almost certainly, an el nino has arrived- so climate scientists say the northern part of Europe will very likely have winters that are colder than usual).

These very high gas storage levels, whilst they continue (to when?), are a negative for thermal coal (& gas) prices. There are links, in recent times, between gas & thermal coal prices.
As gas has less CO2 emissions than even high quality 6000kcal coal (eg WHC), gas (if reasonably priced) will be preferred for "energy security", & reliable, baseload power (which gas also provides).



2. Hellenic Shipping News/Reuters 21.3.23 said

"...In Texas, meanwhile, the power grid operator again projected electric use would break a record – this time on Wednesday – after forecast usage fell short of the all-time high on Tuesday as consumers heeded calls to conserve energy during an early summer heat wave..

Meteorologists forecast the weather in the Lower 48 states would turn from mostly near-normal from June 21-23 to hotter-than-normal from June 24-July 6.

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-natgas-futures-steady-as-low-lng-feedgas-offsets-hot-forecasts/c


climate.gov. M. Halpert 1.6.23 said

"The June temperature outlook favors well above average temperatures across the northern tier from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast, with the strongest signal in Washington state and parts of North Dakota and Minnesota (60-70%). Areas across the north from the Great Lakes westward were significantly above average during May, and odds tilt fairly strongly in the same direction during at least the first 10 days to two weeks of the month. A very slight tilt in the odds toward above-average temperatures is also found along the Gulf Coast and in Florida, with well above normal sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico the primary factor for this outlook".

https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/us-climate-outlook-june-2023n



netweather.tv N.Finnis 7.6.23 said (re UK weather)

"Summer 2023

• Overall, June-July-August temperatures are forecast to be warmer than the 1981-2010 long-term average during Summer 2023.
• Difference to the 30-year average could be close to +1.5°C, suggesting some heatwaves are possible.
• Above normal temperatures have a 60% chance of occurring, compared to 30% average temperatures and 10% chance of below normal.
• July forecast to be the hottest month, perhaps up to 2.0C above average"

https://www.netweather.tv/weather-forecasts/uk/long-range/seasonalc




ctif.org 24.5.23 said (re weather in Europe, generally)

"Europe is preparing for a 2023 with extremely hot weather, droughts and record forest fires

2022 was a year of weather records in Europe last year. The summer was record hot with temperatures above 45 degrees C, with numerous heat related deaths, drought and fires as the unfortunate result. The predictions for 2023 so far is towards another record year of heatwaves.

The 2022 annual report from the EU's environmental monitoring program Copernicus shows that scientists believe the extreme heat will get even worse in southern Europe - Warning for drought this summer are already out".

https://www.ctif.org/news/europe-preparing-2023-extremely-hot-weather-droughts-and-record-forest-fires