Georgia's average gas price currently sits about $4.19 per gallon. That's around 10 cents more than last week, 40 cents more than last month, and $1.30 more than this time last year.
In other news, starting last week, high temperatures across Georgia dropped below 90 for the foreseeable future
. Those will only get cooler as we move from fall to winter, and believe it or not, that may bring those high gas prices down.Will gas prices go down soon?
AAA said gas prices typically drop 10-30 cents during the winter months. The travel platform discussed the reasons for it in a March report. One of the big ones is simply supply and demand: People tend to travel less in colder weather, decreasing the demand for gas which decreases the cost. The other top reason is a more complicated
one.
"The production of winter-blends includes Butane and other fuel additives that are less expensive than gasoline’s components of summer-blend," AAA writer Kyle Marra said. "Consumers get to reap the benefits of these reduced production costs because they have a direct impact on the prices at the pump."
However, the escalating prices are a direct result of the ongoing conflict in Iran. Those lower winter prices are under threat until those overseas shipping lanes are cleared up. President Donald Trump has regularly downplayed the seriousness of the issue, calling this a "small price to pay" for ensuring Iran does not have a nuclear weapon.
When does winter start?
The official start of winter is marked by the Winter Solstice on Monday, Dec. 21 at 3:50 p.m., according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
AAA says local gas stations transition to the lower-priced winter-blends in September or October. By law, gas stations had to stop selling summer-gas blends after Sept. 16, but most refiners will deplete the remainder of that supply, so it could take a bit longer. Those price drops tend to start in the north and trickle down south, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on northern states' gas price averages.
Cheap gas near me
There are a few different ways for finding cheaper gas in your area. One of the more popular ones is using GasBuddy, but you can also use AAA's search tool.
How polar vortex affects winter?
The polar vortex is a large-scale circulation of cold air and strong winds that forms high in the atmosphere over the Arctic each winter. When it's strong and stable, it can help keep the coldest Arctic air bottled up near the pole. When it weakens or becomes disrupted, some of that cold air can move south into the U.S. and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
This year's vortex is strengthening in the stratosphere as temperatures fall over the North Pole. Forecasts show it becoming stronger than normal in late September before trending closer to typical levels in October.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: How will winter weather impact Georgia gas prices? What we know
