Gas prices continue to shoot upward in the area causing motorists to dig deeper into their pockets.

Prices in Montgomery County have risen to $2.43 which is a 26 cent increase since last month while Labette County has seen an increase to $2.37 which is an 18 cent increase. In Chautauqua County, prices are up 30 cents to $2.33 a gallon.

The state average is up 18 cents at $2.17 a gallon. In Oklahoma, the state average jumped to $2.30 a gallon. Gas in Washington County is up 23 cents to $2.30 while Nowata County is up 16 cents to $2.21.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is at $2.57, which is eight cents more than a week ago, 19 cents more than a month ago, and 13 cents more than a year ago. Gasoline prices are expected to rise 10 to 20 cents a gallon in the coming days after winter storms knocked out about a dozen refineries in Texas, higher crude oil prices, and gas demand.