NJ saw a big increase in gas prices this week. Here's why

Analysts predicted New Jersey would see gas prices increase in the month of April, and those predictions have now come true.

Prices in New Jersey have risen to an average of $3.56 a gallon as of April 19 according to the AAA database. Compared to a week ago the New Jersey statewide average was $3.33 per gallon. New Jersey's statewide average increased 30 cents per gallon from a month ago. These were the average prices for regular gasoline.

These statewide prices are still currently below the national average which currently sits at $3.68 per gallon.

Other sets of gasoline changed price too. The current average price for diesel in New Jersey is $4.03 per gallon which was roughly the cost a month ago. A week ago the cost of diesel in New Jersey was $3.98 per gallon. Premium gasoline also saw an increase from an average price of $4.12 per gallon a week ago to the current average of $4.29 per gallon. A month ago the average cost of premium gas was $4.07 statewide.

Locally Bergen and Passaic counties have experienced a hike in gas prices. Bergen and Passaic also saw gas increase by 30 cents over this past month going from $3.27 per gallon to $3.53 per gallon. A week ago the average was $3.33 per gallon in these counties.

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Premier gas prices in the counties also increased from last month going from $4.14 per gallon to $4.36 per gallon.

Gasolines prices are known to constantly fluctuate. The statewide average has risen nearly 10 cents per gallon from a year ago.

Why are gas prices going up?

There are few causes to this weekly and monthly rise in the prices of gasoline. Senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast, Mark Schieldrop, said the price that wholesalers and fuel distributors paid for trucks to deliver fuel to be local gas stations increased overnight in early April.

One reason for this price increase was the solar eclipse that occurred earlier this month as this event caused a spike in demand as many were traveling to find the best viewing spots.

A more expensive blend of summer fuel may also contribute to an increase in prices. Schieldrop stated that bad weather caused for a lesser demand for gas which led to prices to remain relatively low throughout the winter.

Production cuts from an association of oil-producing countries such, OPEC, could be the reason for a strike increase in New Jersey.

Observers will wait to see if Gov. Phil Murphy's bill that increased gas tax by 2 cents per year for five years will have an affect on gas prices in the future.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Gas prices in NJ increased this week due to these factors