BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — As Massachusetts begins to leave winter behind, gas prices have been rising slightly.
On Wednesday, gas was $3.19 on average across the Commonwealth, which was below the national average of $3.27.
In Suffolk County, where Boston is located, gas prices reached $3.36 on Wednesday.
Massachusetts gas prices have been increasing over the past month, up from $3.11 on Jan. 21. Diesel prices have also risen, from $4.16 on Jan. 21 to $4.21 on Feb. 21.
Overall, prices on Feb. 21 were lower than the same time last year.
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Nationally, experts said that gas prices are expected to rise as spring begins. This is a typical seasonal trend, as winter ends and many gas stations switch over to more expensive summer fuel, reported CNN.
However, this more expensive trend in gas prices might also be because of a large BP-Whiting refinery shutdown earlier this month in Indiana. AAA said that after this shutdown, the national price of gas rose 12 cents between Feb. 8 and Feb. 15.
Feb. 15’s gas price was the highest national average since November.
The national price of gas on Feb. 21, $3.27, was less than last year’s $3.40, but 20 cents more than last month’s $3.07.
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