A record-setting decrease in gas prices recently came to an end but in central Pa., prices are still falling ever so slightly.
The national average price for a gallon of gas today, Monday, Sept. 26, is $3.73, according to AAA.
The average in Pennsylvania is $3.80.
The average in the Harrisburg area is $3.83, according to GasBuddy.
Across the United States, gas prices, which are determined by global oil and crude prices - are being impacted by refinery issues, hurricane season, recession fear and concerns about the economy.
“One of the longest gas price declines on record has finally come to an end after 14 weeks, with gas prices shooting up in several regions amidst myriad refinery issues from the West Coast to the Great Lakes and in between,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a wider gamut of price behaviors coast to coast in my career.
A slew of unexpected refinery disruptions, including fires and routine maintenance, have seemingly all happened in a short span of time, causing wholesale gas prices to spike in areas of the West Coast, Great Lakes and Plains states - and some of those areas could see prices spike another 25-75 cents per gallon or more until issues are worked out.
In addition, as Tropical Storm Ian nears the U.S. coast, some refiners could see limited disruption. ... Hopefully, disruptions will be very limited due to Ian, but there remain many factors driving prices both up and down across the country.”
Tropical Storm Ian is expected to hit Florida next week, potentially as a hurricane.
On Thursday, AAA said, “Although gasoline demand has decreased, tight supply and fluctuating oil prices have increased the national average. However, if gas demand remains low and continues to drop, pump price increases will likely be minimized as supply increases.”
In the Harrisburg area, the average price today is 32 cents lower than a month ago but 51 cents higher than a year ago.
The lowest price in the Harrisburg area today, according to GasBuddy app users, is $3.58 a gallon at Sam’s Club in Swatara Twp.
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