By A.J. Harris
After dropping for the last seven weeks, gas prices are going up in Central Illinois.
Gasbuddy.com reports prices rose 4.6 cents last week to an average of $2.62/gallon. That is 3.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but 57.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Prices also went up nationally 1.6 cents per gallon to an average of $2.57/gallon. That is two cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but 32.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy Patrick DeHaan says that gas prices jumped thanks to a notable yet anticipated drop in oil inventories, sending oil to multi-month highs above 61 dollars.
DeHaan adds, however, that weakness in gas prices will likely return in January and February as demand weakens.
The rise in prices comes after a streak of seven straight weeks where the national average dropped.