every year around this time nationally price goes up because we switch over to summer blend gas. summer fuel gasoline is more expensive to produce. >> reporter: and refineries go through a maintenance cycle during the switchover. that means production is lower. an explosion at the exxonmobil refinery in torrance california last week, made things worse. and a strike by steelworkers at 12 refineries across the country is impacting 20% of oil production. nationwide gas prices have been dropping since april. but they have now risen for 32 straight days. a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.03 a month ago. it is now $2.37. and if you needed one more reason to hate this wicked winter, it's also costing you money. extreme cold in the northeast has slowed oil production at three refineries that account for more than two-thirds of east coast oil output. the price of this gas station in los angeles is now $3.89 and analysts say that will jump