California Gas Prices Expected to Jump Overnight, Possibly 30 Cents by Weekend

The slide in California’s gasoline prices could abruptly end Friday, with prices possibly jumping 30 cents a gallon because of seasonal changes in the state’s refinery operations, a consumer group predicted Thursday. Prices often climb in California this time of year because refineries switch from the winter blend of fuel to the more expensive state-mandated summer blend, which evaporates less quickly during warm weather. But this year’s switch to summer gasoline has triggered a jump of 52 cents a gallon on the gasoline wholesale market in Los Angeles this week, which will lead to the higher pump prices predicted by advocacy group Consumer Watchdog. “The summer blend should not be responsible for more than a few pennies, maybe a dime,” Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court said at a news conference.