Staff report

Gas prices are 8 cents higher in Northeast Ohio this week at $2.847 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report released Monday.

The month of February is bringing slightly higher gas prices as the national average for a gallon of regular is up 3 cents from last week to $2.90. Gasoline demand is down, as fewer drivers hit the road during the recent winter storms. But this is the time of year when pump prices start nudging higher, as spring approaches and refineries start making the switch to summer-blend gasoline production. Current prices remain below what they were this time last year when the national average was $3.12.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.75 million barrels per day to 8.15 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 257.2 million barrels to 257.9 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.0 million barrels per day.

The average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas are $2.675, Alliance; $2.892, Ashtabula; $2.666, Niles; and $2.768, Youngstown.