In mid-August, Florida average gas prices reached an average of $3.85 a gallon. After three weeks of declines, that figure is down to $3.61 as of Sunday.
But, it may be more of a coincidence than a trend, as speculation that the price of oil will soon rise, taking gas prices with it.
"Winter gasoline has moved into the market, enabling gas prices to move lower," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Unfortunately, the downward trend may end soon. Futures prices have strengthened in the fuel market, which should reapply upward pressure on prices at the pump."
The U.S. price of oil gained significant strength through August and early September. The increase has mostly been driven by concerns that OPEC's decision to extend oil production cuts would further tighten global fuel supplies. U.S. oil prices closed at $87.51 per barrel on Friday. That's almost a 20% increase throughout the past two months.
Locally, that average at the end of the weekend was $3.52 in Osceola County ($3.57 in Orange). That's down a quarter from a month ago, but up from $3.40 a year ago.
