1006 ET - U.S. natural gas futures are higher and looking to end the week with gains as extended summer weather keeps up cooling demand in the southern half of the country. National demand is expected to remain high the next couple of days, then moderate before dropping off toward the end of next week, according to NatGasWeather.com. "The overnight data was little changed, thereby maintaining bearish weather patterns for the 3-20 day forecast period," the forecaster adds. Nymex gas is up 0.8% at $2.924/mmBtu.