In 2024, U.S. retail gasoline prices averaged about 20 cents less than in 2023
The U.S. retail price for regular grade gasoline averaged $3.30 per gallon (gal) in 2024, $0.21/gal less than in 2023. Lower crude oil prices and narrower refinery margins in 2024 than in 2023 both contributed to the decrease in U.S. retail gasoline prices, according to data from our Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. From the first week of 2024 through the last week, national average weekly gasoline prices decreased $0.08/gal.
Brent crude oil prices traded in a narrow range in 2024
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures prices averaged $80 per barrel (b) in 2024, $2/b less than in 2023. Intraday prices stayed within a $24/b range, between $68/b and $93/b (after rounding), which was the narrowest trading range since 2019. Adjusting the trading range for inflation, last year was the narrowest since 2003. Strong global growth in production of oil and slower demand growth put downward pressure on prices, while heightened geopolitical risks and voluntary production restrictions among OPEC+ members supported them. These offsetting factors kept oil prices within a narrow range.
Looking back on geological activity in Yellowstone during 2024
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Aerial view of Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, showing debris deposited by the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion from Black Diamond Pool. Major features are labeled. The main debris field (within dashed yellow line) has a gray appearance. Photo taken by Joe Bueter, Yellowstone National Park, on July 23, 2024. In Yellowstone, 2024 will probably be remembered as the year of the hydrothermal
Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report for January 4th, 2024
Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report EOC Activation Level: Level 2 Meteorological Summary: Clear skies and near-zero rain chances can be expected across the Sunshine State today, courtesy of a dominant area of high pressure; temperatures will be slightly cooler in the wake of yesterday’s reinforcing cold front. Winds become breezy over Northwest Florida tonight, with coastal wind gusts reaching 15-20 mph ahead of our next approaching weather system. Increasing cloud cover expected over the western Florida Panhandle tonight, with a slight chance for a shower or two possible (5-15% chance of rain) west of the US-231 corridor.
Quarterly Coal Report (QCR)—Third-Quarter 2024
(Fri, 03 Jan 2025) U.S. coal production during the third quarter of 2024 totaled 136.2 million short tons (MMst), which was 15.3% higher than the previous quarter and 6.6% lower than the third quarter of 2023. Third-quarter 2024 U.S. coal exports (27.3 MMst) increased 5.9% from the second quarter of 2024 and increased 10.8% from the third quarter of 2023. U.S. coal imports in the third quarter of 2024 totaled 0.7 MMst. All data for 2023 and previous years are final. All data for 2024 are preliminary.
Quarterly Coal Distribution Report (QCDR)—Third-Quarter 2024
(Fri, 03 Jan 2025) The Quarterly Coal Distribution Report (QCDR) provides detailed U.S. domestic coal distribution data (excluding waste coal and imports) for third-quarter 2024 by coal-origin state, coal-destination state, mode of transportation, and consuming sector. Quarterly coal distribution data for all quarters are preliminary and will be updated in the corresponding Annual Coal Distribution Report.
Photo and Video Chronology — December 31, 2024 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
Here, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes images and measurements of lava fountain heights during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on December 31, 2024; the eruption began on December 23 and has continued in episodic pulses. Geologists conduct shifts throughout the week to monitor the eruption and note any changes. On December 31, fountain heights reached approximately 80 feet (25 meters) and lava flows continued to cover the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Observatory staff wear personal protective equipment such gas masks to protect themselves from volcanic gas emissions that can quickly change with the winds and eruptive activity. USGS photo
Photo and Video Chronology — December 28 & 29, 2024 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
Maintenance of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's instrumental monitoring network is an ever-ongoing process, but it is especially important during eruptions. Here, two scientists perform repairs on a gas monitoring station located just west of Kaluapele—Kīlauea's summit caldera—on Saturday, December 28, 2024. An upward-looking spectrometer measures the amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2) passing over the station, and when combined with data from other similar instruments located downwind of the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an approximate SO2 emission rate can be calculated. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report for Tuesday, December 31st, 2024.
Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report EOC Activation Level: Level 2 Meteorological Summary: Widespread fog and low clouds continue statewide, with Dense Fog Advisories remaining in effect through mid-morning. Areas of sea fog and low clouds likely to linger well into the afternoon hours along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast. Reinforcing cold front advances eastward across the Deep South today, with drier air and more sunshine returning to the forecast soon! Breezy winds out of the southwest can be expected ahead of the front, with wind gusts of 15-25 mph possible throughout North and Central Florida. Widely isolated
SPC Dec 31, 2024 1730 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook
SPC 1730Z Day 2 Outlook Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1043 AM CST Tue Dec 31 2024 Valid 011200Z - 021200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms are not expected Wednesday. ...Synopsis... An upper low will be situated over northern Ontario with a broad area of lower heights across the Canadian Prairies. South of this low, a broad fetch of moderate to strong high-level flow will extend from the western US into the Southeast, with a leading wave ejecting in negative-tilt fashion across the Northeast. With time, upper ridging will occur along the West Coast.