A cold snap will hit continental Europe and East Asia next week, posing an
early-winter stress test for gas and power markets already strained by high
prices and LNG supply competition. From the weekend, large swathes of
continental Europe are forecast 2–3°C below seasonal averages, while parts of
Japan and South Korea could run about 5°C below normal. The concurrent,
short-lived outbreaks are expected to briefly lift heating demand and test
electricity systems and LNG flows, potentially triggering price volatility.
Forecasters say El Nifio should bias the northern hemisphere toward a warmer
winter overall, but short cold spells can still move markets. Atmospheric G2
meteorologist Andrew Pedrini warned markets' main concern entering winter is
"multiple high-demand regions cooling simultaneously."
