Natural gas dropped to the lowest level since 2012 in New York on speculation that mild weather will reduce demand, accelerating stockpile gains. Temperatures will be above normal across most of the lower 48 states May 2 through May 6, with warmth staying in the East for the following five days, said MDA Weather Services. Gas inventories jumped to a record 83% above year-earlier levels on April 17 as demand slumped.