Weather in New York and New England probably will remain cooler than normal through much of the first half of May, according to Matt Rogers, president of Commodity Weather Group LLC.Rogers calls for the eastern U.S. and Northeast to remain cooler than normal from May 4 to May 8 in his 6- to 10-day outlook. He then shifts the probability for cooler weather across the northern U.S., still including the Northeast, in his 11- to 15-day outlook.Rogers said negative phases of both the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Arctic Oscillation, Northern Hemispheric pressure gradients that can cool North America, will keep warm weather at bay.“The result is still a cool-leaning across northern population centers with better opportunities again for above- normal overnight heating demand,” Rogers said in a note to clients.Natural gas traders monitor weather forecasts to determine whether temperatures boost heating or cooling demand. Predictions of below-normal or above-normal temperatures may prompt traders to buy or sell gas futures. Commodity traders watch precipitation forecasts for potential impact on planting and yields.In his 6- to 10-day outlook, Rogers calls for above-normal warmth to center in the U.S. Southwest and southern Rocky Mountains. That warm area expands in his 11- to 15-day outlook to cover the southern half of the U.S.