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Why Florida gas prices keep rising

Gas price watchers expect them to continue to climb for at least another month or so.
Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
This is a gas pump nozzel in a car filling up at a pump in West Mifflin, Pa., on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Expect the pain at the pump to become a little more irritating. 

AAA predicts the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Florida could soar as much as 10 cents, and there are signs it's already happening.

In the Tampa metro, average gas prices going into last weekend ranged in the $2.50s, according to GasBuddy.com. They've since skyrocketed to $2.72, or higher, Tuesday.

And there's nothing we can do about it, absent buying less gas, apparently.

"Both planned and unplanned refinery maintenance, rising demand, and the switch to summer gasoline continue to contribute to the seasonal springtime jump at the pump," AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a news release.

More: Check gas prices across the Tampa Bay region

As to how far they'll go from here, no one can say for sure, but buckle up. 

"Based on current conditions, gas prices will likely peak sometime between Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day weekend," Jenkins said.

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